Many senators in the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC) are already outraged by the reckless and baseless red-tagging of its officials.
In the latest statement by NTF-ELCAC spokesman Lt Gen. Antonio Parlade, he compared Maginhawa community pantry initiator Ana Patricia Non to satan.
Sen. Panfilo Lacson, who defended NTF-ELCAC’s P16.5 billion 2021 budget for its projects, seems to be remorseful for Parlade’s continued failure.
“Sa susunod na budget hearing at plenary debates, hindi ko na alam kung nararapat pang irekomenda sa finance committee ang anumang pondo ng NTF-ELCAC,” said Lacson.
Sen. Grace Poe, in favor of withdrawing funds from the agency, whose main goal is to curb the insurgency in the country, because she said they are not listening.
But Sen. Franklin Drilon wants NTF-ELCAC to be stripped of its budget right now and just transfer the funds to another agency.
“The President should realign the NTF-ELCAC under the 2021 GAA now. Now na,” said Drilon.
Also read: NTF-ELCAC denies red-tagging, profiling of community pantry organizers
Senators angry at NTF-ELCAC’s rampant red-tagging
Sen. Joel Villanueva will file a resolution to investigate where the NTF-ELCAC budget goes.
“They have been engaging in red-tagging, in witch-hunting na para pong ‘wild, wild west’ na eh. We should also review the leadership of the NTF-ELCAC,” said Villanueva.
Senate President Tito Sotto, Parlade, and another NTF-ELCAC spokesperson Lorraine Badoy have been fired.
But if Sen. Risa Hontiveros is to be asked, she just wants to abolish the NTF-ELCAC.
“Ang pinaka-fair sa lahat ay buwagin yung NTF-ELCAC at ibalik sa mga tamang departamento at ahensiya ‘yung mga mandatong iyan,” said Hontiveros.
Parlade’s defense, on the other hand, was that he did not call Non Satan but some groups that allegedly took advantage of the initiative.
“I never said that… In fact, I said I appreciate what Ana is doing. And nakita ng taumbayan na maganda ‘yung ginagawa ni Ana. But what we are not telling the people is the organization, these other organizations who are even asking people to sign a blank document. Saan gagamitin ‘yun, we don’t know,” said Parlade.