A YOUTH group demanded the resignation of Lt. Gen. Antonio Parlade Jr., spokesperson of National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict, from his office by any means possible or necessary.

The call came after Parlade threatened to file charges against a female reporter over her article on the Aetas’ claim of torture under the hands of the military as an attest to the dangers of the Anti-Terrorism Law of 2020.

College Editors Guild of the Philippines said that such irresponsible remarks not only tarnished the victims’ reputation and dignity, but also their rights, freedom, and justice.

“In the face of unceasing, unrepentant, unabashed red-tagging of Parlade and with his newest victim, the Philippine Daily Inquirer journalist Tetch Torres-Tupas, many more have joined in demanding for his resignation. But Parlade’s recent pronouncements should never be the sole ground,” CEGP said in a statement.

The Guild said it stands with journalist Torres-Tupas, other colleagues in the media, and all other victims, and urged the authorities to protect the safety and rights of every Filipino.

It added that a critical press only serves the public interest, thus it “must not be subjected to any kind of attacks.”

Meantime, CEGP reiterated that educational institutions have also been used to intimidate, silence, and oppress students and other organizations.

“The red-tagging of various schools, the 2018 Red October plot versus the government, his false accusations against personalities such as Angel Locsin, Liza Soberano, Catriona Gray, against the whole University of the Philippines community, progressive groups, journalists, and even to ordinary citizens critical of this regime, and his grave threats on the Anti-Terror Law petitioners,” it said.

Citing the recent abrogation of the 1989 UP-DND Accord that bars state forces to enter UP campuses without prior notice, the guild said that both academic and non-academic democracy have been further exploited through ‘intensified militarization and repression.’

Instead of cooperating with the students and help the victims of pandemic, CEGP pointed out that government officials demonize youth groups’ effort and label them as a terrorist.