Lorenzana says DND supports community pantries
Following issues of red-tagging that have caused safety concerns for some community pantry organizers, Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana said he supports the effort, regardless of their beliefs.
“Kindness is everyone’s color,” Lorenzana said in a Twitter post.
Ana Patricia Non, the founder of the Maginhawa Community Pantry, stopped operations for one day after fearing for the safety of her and her volunteers after the Quezon City Police District put out a Facebook post that red-tagged their group. The QCPD has since apologized.
Lt. Gen. Antonio Parlade, head of the country’s counterinsurgency task force, denied they are red-tagging community party organizers, but said they are running background checks and then compared Non to Satan in a televised interview by One News.
“Kindness is everyone's color,” Lorenzana said in his post.
Lorenzana’s Twitter post also had photos of soldiers delivering sacks of produce to what appears to be a community pantry.
“Kahit ano pa ang paniniwala basta taos pusong tumutulong, susuportahan natin. The DND appreciates and supports these community pantries. We are ready to assist if requested and, if necessary, to deploy the AFP Mobile Kitchens where they are needed,” said Lorenzana.
During the televised press conference early today of Malacanang, palace spokesman Harry Roque said he will talk with Interior Secretary Eduardo Ano so they could reach out to Lorenzana regarding Parlade.
“Kakausapin namin ni Ano si Lorenzana, di naman sikretong napagsabihan na siyang mag-ingat-ingat si Parlade sa mga deklarasyon niya,” said Roque.
Roque was referring to how Lorenzana told Parlade to stand down in October last year after the latter linked actress Liza Soberano to communist groups when the two celebrities spoke about women’s rights.
Lorenzana summoned Parlade during that time and reportedly told him to keep quiet if there is no concrete evidence.
(Thumbnail and banner photo from Lorenzana's Twitter post)