(FILE PHOTO)
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, May 6) Interior Secretary Eduardo Año on Wednesday urged senators not to defund the anti-communist task force, saying government efforts to clear several areas of insurgency threats will go to waste if the budget for the development of affected communities is removed.
He said defunding the task force will leave those villages hanging after being freed from the clutches of communist insurgents. We, therefore, appeal to our senators not to deprive these barangays of government support and assistance now that they need us most,” Año said in a statement, adding that the very reason the areas were misled and influenced by communist rebels was because the people never felt the presence of the government.
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Presidential Spokesman Harry Roque made the statement following questions about Parlade’s role as spokesman for the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC) since the law does not allow military officials to occupy civilian posts.
In a virtual presser on Friday, Roque said the issue was actually a subject for debate because the military is part of the NTF-ELCAC.
“Kasama rin po ang militar doon sa ELCAC. So pupwedeng nagsasalita po siya bilang tagapagsalita rin ng militar na represented po doon sa ELCAC (The military is part of the NTF-ELCAC. So he may be speaking for the military that is represented in the NTF-ELCAC),” he said.
Duterte won t step in, leaves decision on Parlade to NTF-ELCAC — Roque – Manila Bulletin mb.com.ph - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from mb.com.ph Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
Published April 26, 2021, 3:31 PM
Malacañang stands by the National Security Adviser’s (NSA) gag order on National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC) spokespersons Lt. Gen. Antonio Parlade and Communications Undersecretary Lorraine Badoy who have both come under fire for comments red-tagging the community pantry organizers.
In his virtual media briefing, Presidential spokesman Harry Roque affirmed the Palace’s decision to side with NSA chief Hermogenes Esperon after several senators called for the abolition of the NTF-ELCAC, which was created to stop insurgency activities in the country.
“Yes. We’re just asking that we should know our policies, we welcome the community spirit of these community pantries. We are asking all our officials to be careful with what they’re saying; they need to widen their perspectives,” he said in Filipino.