"I could probably apologize...": Parlade gives qualified apology after threatening journalist
After reaping criticisms from various organizations, Army Lt. Gen. Antonio Parlade said he is willing to meet and probably apologize to the reporter whom she tagged as a propagandist.
“Gusto nilang mag-apologize ako. As a person, nagalit din ako at na-offend din ako,” Parlade said in an interview with the ABS-CBN News Channel.
Parlade, who is the spokesperson of the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC), targeted Inquirer.net reporter Tetch Torres-Tupas in Facebook for her story regarding the Supreme Court petition filed by Aetas against the Army. Media organizations and other groups slammed Parlade following his statements.
NTF-ELCAC spokesperson Antonio Parlade said he would not personally apologize for his comments against Inquirer journalist Tetch Torres-Tupas, but said he would apologize if it appeared that he was dragging his office because of the remark. pic.twitter.com/CAiBL7rBim
— ABS-CBN News Channel (@ANCALERTS) February 9, 2021
“I will not (apologize), but as a member of the NTF-ELCAC, I could probably apologize kung nadadawit ko na yung NTF-ELCAC dito but that’s not the intent,” said Parlade.
Parlade, who has red-tagged celebrities in the past, said he is also willing to meet with Tupas and even the Inquirer.net leadership.
“We mean no harm to her, but yeah, of course I’d like to say sorry to those circulating in the news that I’m threatening her, I’m not, and I'm willing to meet the leadership, the management of Inquirer.net,” Parlade said.
Asked by anchor Karen Davila what he was specifically apologizing for, Parlade said he just does not want Tupas to feel afraid.
“Kasi ang lumalabas natatakot na si Tetch for my statements, that is also because of the way the media portrays this issue, but pesonally wala akong intention kay Tetch na ganiyan ang maramdaman niya,” Parlade said.
Two days ago, however, on Feb. 7, Parlade made another Facebook post sharing a Nov. 2020 story by Tupas about the Aetas being the first charged under the Anti-Terror Law.
“Tell me friends, with this report of Tupas last Nov 2020, which was refuted by the 7th ID Phil Army, would you say Tupas based her report on the petition of the Aetas in the SC? Or on her established bias against the AFP?” Parlade asked.
(Banner photos from PCOO and The STAR/Michael Varcas.)