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Lacson cautions AFP general on public statementsBy Manila Bulletin

Senator Panfilo M. Lacson, chairman of the Senate national defense committee, said today Lieutenant General Antonio Parlade Jr. is one Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) officer who is dedicated to the accomplishment of his mission to end the half-century-old insurgency problem.

Parlade’s only fault, however, is that he over-analyzes and over-talks, with some of his public statements threatening to affect his mission, Lacson, a former Philippine National Police (PNP) chief, pointed out.

The AFP’s officer was called out for ‘’advising’’ entertainment celebrity Lisa Soberano to distance herself from a supposed leftist organization.

Parlade cited to her an incident where a university female student, alleged member of that organization, was killed in a recent anti-insurgency operation in Batangas.

Lacson said that under the Anti-Terrorism Act of 2020, only the court could proscribe a group like the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army (CPP-NPA) as a terrorist organization.

On the other hand, the purpose of surveillance work is defeated when the subject becomes aware that he is being tailed, he said.

Lacson said a little prudence and self-discipline on Parlade’s part would help.