President Duterte has appointed the controversial former spokesman of the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC) as deputy director general of the National Security Council (NSC).
In a brief news statement issued last Thursday, Presidential spokesman Harry Roque confirmed the new assignment of retired Lt. Gen. Antonio Parlade Jr.
“President Rodrigo Roa Duterte signed the appointment of Mr. Antonio G. Parlade Jr. yesterday, September 8, 2021,” Roque said.
Roque said they are banking on Parlade’s experience as a star rank official of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) to redound to the benefit of the NSC.
“His length of fruitful service in the military would immensely contribute in the crafting of plans and policies affecting national security,” Roque said.
During his stint in the NTF-ELCAC, Parlade drew public criticisms after he accused several high-profile personalities as members of the communist movement.
This led some lawmakers to call for the defunding of the NTF-ELCAC. Prior to his retirement last July, Parlade also resigned from his post in the NTF-ELCAC.