Several celebrities and social media personalities have rallied behind Liza Soberano, Catriona Gray, and Angel Locsin following an AFP official red-tagging and making veiled threats against these strong outspoken women.
In a statement on Wednesday, AFP Southern Luzon Command Chief and NTF-ELCAC spokesperson Lt. Gen. Antonio Parlade Jr. said, “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 alias Ella.”
Lapira was the UP Manila student who was killed in a firefight between the AFP and suspected NPA members in 2017 in Batangas.
Aside from Liza, Parlade also mentioned Miss Universe 2018 Catriona Gray and Angel Locsin who according to him has a sister (Ella) who went underground in Quezon Province.
“The choice is yours, Liza. And so with you Catriona. Don’t follow the path Ka Ella Colmenares (Locsin) took in the underground and NPA-Quezon. I am sure Angel Locsin and Neri Colmenares will not tell you this,” Parlade added.
Did an official of an anti-communist task force just 'red tag' actress Liza Soberano? | via @MB_mrtnsdngdng pic.twitter.com/cQPSl1CjNb
— Manila Bulletin News (@manilabulletin) October 21, 2020
Meanwhile, Parlade’s statement sent shockwaves on social media, with different celebrities and socmed personalities defending Liza, Angel, and Catriona.
In a tweet, singer-actress and known Duterte critic Agot Isidro hailed the 3 empowered women while asking to stop red-tagging.
“Porke’t naka-red, red tagging na? Yes to empowered women in red. #notoredtagging #ProtectLizaSoberano #ProtectAngelLocsin #ProtectCatrionaGray #AKTORlovesempoweredFilipinas”
Porke't naka-red, red tagging na?
Yes to empowered women in red. #notoredtagging #ProtectLizaSoberano #ProtectAngelLocsin #ProtectCatrionaGray #AKTORlovesempoweredFilipinas pic.twitter.com/EmjKszz2NX
— Agot Isidro (@agot_isidro) October 22, 2020
Kapamilya host Bianca Gonzalez said Liza did nothing wrong and she only wanted to use her voice to empower other women.
“Walang ginagawang masama si Liza Soberano. She is a young woman finding her own voice and she just wants to use it to empower other women. We support you, @lizasoberano”
https://twitter.com/iamsuperbianca/status/1319296704244412423
Kean Cipriano also tweeted saying he stands with Liza and every woman who speaks up for their rights.
“I stand with @lizasoberano and all the women who speak up for their rights. Women who speak up for what is right. Yakap Hope. We’re here for you. #DefendFilipinoWomen #SpeakFree”
I stand with @lizasoberano and all the women who speak up for their rights. Women who speak up for what is right.
Yakap Hope. We’re here for you. #DefendFilipinoWomen #SpeakFree pic.twitter.com/Tvo4e5Zuhw
— Kean Cipriano (@keancipriano) October 22, 2020
Senator Risa Hontiveros, meanwhile, slammed Parlade for using his position and power to threaten a person, much more a woman like Liza. Hontiveros said it was shameful and ungentlemanly for a general and a PMAer. She then advised Liza and Catriona to keep being brave because they have every right to speak about injustices in this country.
“Lt Gen Parlade, huwag niyong gamitin ang kapangyarihan niyo bilang heneral upang takutin at pagbantaan ang mga kababaihang ito. This is ungentlemanly and a shame to your rank & to the PMA. @lizasoberano & @catrionaelisa This is your right. Keep being brave.”
Lt Gen Parlade, huwag niyong gamitin ang kapangyarihan niyo bilang heneral upang takutin at pagbantaan ang mga kababaihang ito.
This is ungentlemanly and a shame to your rank & to the PMA.@lizasoberano & @catrionaelisa
This is your right. Keep being brave.FULL STATEMENT: pic.twitter.com/FGJcVmOhlE
— risa hontiveros (@risahontiveros) October 22, 2020
ABS-CBN journalist Lynda Jumilla also reacted to Parlade’s statement saying Liza, Catriona, and Angel are smart women who know what they are doing.
“these women are smart, principled, and beautiful at heart. they know what they’re doing. stop patronizing them.”
these women are smart, principled, and beautiful at heart. they know what they’re doing. stop patronizing them. https://t.co/HYlckgVOQH
— Lynda Jumilla-Abalos (@lyndajumilla) October 22, 2020
Several film and TV directors also threw their support behind the 3 ladies who were threatened by Parlade.
Direk Andoy Ranay in his tweet said he stands with Liza, Catriona, Angel, and the Gabriela group and to all women who are brave in standing up for their rights.
“I stand with Liza Soberano, Catriona Gray, Angel Locsin, and Gabriela. And to all the women who stand up and speak up for their rights! #DefendFilipinoWomen #LabanLisa #LabanCatriona #LabanAngel #ProtectLizaSoberano #ProtectCatrionaGray #ProtectAngelLocsin”
https://twitter.com/andoyranay/status/1319232534379520002
Tonette Jadaone tweeted a short message using hashtag #PROTECTLIZASOBERANO.
#PROTECTLIZASOBERANO https://t.co/ZNQGYNDihn
— Toñet (@tonetjadaone) October 22, 2020
Theodore Boborol meanwhile blasted the general for unwittingly admitting to killing of activists and publicly making death threats.
“Inadvertently admitting to killing activists, unabashedly and publicly making death threats, sila ba talaga ang magpo-protekta sa atin? Huwag tayong matakot at hayaang manalo ang mga murderers! Sobra na sila!”
Inadvertently admitting to killing activists, unabashedly and publicly making death threats, sila ba talaga ang magpo-protekta sa atin? Huwag tayong matakot at hayaang manalo ang mga murderers! Sobra na sila!
— Theodore Boborol (@TheodoreBoborol) October 22, 2020
And Jade Castro also tweeted #ProtectLizaSoberano adding those threats only make law enforcers empowered to hurt citizens that they ought to protect.
“gusto nilang patunayan na kaya nilang manakit ng nanay na namatayan ng sanggol at ngayon pati pambansang crush ng bayan #ProtectLizaSoberano pinapalakas nila ang loob ng mga pulis na susunod sa utos nilang manakit ng kapwa. kaya isigaw na ikaw ay maka-tao at maka-liza pa rin”
gusto nilang patunayan na kaya nilang manakit ng nanay na namatayan ng sanggol at ngayon pati pambansang crush ng bayan #ProtectLizaSoberano pinapalakas nila ang loob ng mga pulis na susunod sa utos nilang manakit ng kapwa. kaya isigaw na ikaw ay maka-tao at maka-liza pa rin
— jade francis castro (@castrojade) October 22, 2020
