Comedian and talent manager Ogie Diaz has expressed his strong reaction to the recent decision made by the Ombudsman regarding former NTF-ELCAC (National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict) spokespersons Gen. Antonio Parlade Jr. and Lorraine Badoy.
On Thursday, September 21, CNN Philippines reported that the Ombudsman had reprimanded Parlade and Badoy after finding them guilty of “conduct prejudicial to the best interest of the service.” This decision stemmed from a complaint filed by a group of lawyers, who accused the two of making statements categorized as red-tagging.
The Ombudsman also issued a warning, cautioning Parlade and Badoy that repeating the same offense would result in harsher penalties.
On that same day, Ogie Diaz took to Twitter to share his thoughts. In his tweet, Diaz criticized Parlade and Badoy for their red-tagging of individuals, including celebrities. He expressed his wish for stricter punishments instead of just a reprimand.
He stated, “ang lalakas ng loob mang-redtag. pati mga artistang wlaang kinalaman, nire-redtag. sana, maparusahan. wag reprimand lang.”
ang lalakas ng loob mang-redtag. pati mga artistang wlaang kinalaman, nire-redtag. sana, maparusahan. wag reprimand lang. https://t.co/n1fr3gOi9V
— ogie diaz (@ogiediaz) September 21, 2023
During their tenure with NTF-ELCAC, Parlade and Badoy not only accused activists of being part of or affiliated with the New People’s Army but also targeted several celebrities in their red-tagging campaign.
In 2020, Parlade issued a warning to Liza Soberano, urging her not to get involved with the Gabriela Youth organization to avoid a fate similar to Josephine Lapira’s.
“Liza Soberano, there’s still a chance to abdicate that group. If you don’t, you will suffer the same fate as Josephine Anne Lapira, former deputy secretary-general of Gabriela Youth of UP Manila and defender of women’s rights,” he warned. The choice is yours, Liza,”
This statement came after Soberano participated in a webinar organized by Gabriela Youth to discuss women’s rights. At the time of the red-tagging incident, Ogie Diaz was Soberano’s talent manager.
Additionally, apart from Soberano, Angel Locsin and Catriona Gray were also subjected to similar red-tagging statements by Parlade.
“And so with you, Catriona. Don’t follow the path Ka Ella Colmenares (Angel Locsin’s sister) took in the underground and NPA Quezon. I am sure Angel Locsin and Neri Colmenares will not tell you this.”
Both Locsin and Gray were also known advocated for women’s rights.
