Angel Locsin speaks out against AFP for red-tagging celebrities
'Red-tagging' has become a hot-button issue lately, and Angel Locsin has had it.
Locsin is one of the celebrities vocal about their political views. Lately, she has been speaking up about political matters, including the issue on labeling a few celebrities as communists.
On October 23, Locsin wrote a statement on social media against Lt. Gen. Antonio Parlade for 'red-tagging' celebrities including Liza Soberano, 2018 Miss Universe Catriona Gray, as well as her sister Ella Colmenares, who is alleged to be working with the New People's Army.
The actress wrote on Instagram: "To set the record straight, hindi po ako parte ng NPA or any terrorist group. Neither my sister nor my kuya Neri is a part of the NPA or any terrorist group.
We live in a country where our freedom to speak and express ourselves are enshrined and protected by the Constitution. May paniniwala ako, may paniniwala ka. At sa ilalim Ng Consitution, pareho tayong mayroon karapatan sa ating nga sariling paniniwala. Kung mag kaiba tayo, hindi ibig sabihin pwede mo na ako i-red tag. Hindi tayo magkakalaban dito. Hindi rin ako "red". Magkaiba lang tayo ng paniniwala.
Nanawagan po ako sa kinauukulan, na itama po ang mali na ito. Tigilan na po ang red tagging. The statement made is utterly false and places ordinary citizens like us, those who they swore to protect, in danger.
Nakakalungkot po isipin na dito napupunta ang malaking halaga na 19.3B, sa mga paratang na walang basehan at pananakot na red tagging. Sana ibigay na lang po sa ibang departamento ng AFP katulad ng medical reserve corps o pagtaas ng sweldo at pension ng mga sundalo natin. Malaking tulong rin po for purchasing vaccines or other covid response programs. Many of our country men need financial assistance. Mga OFW na nawalan ng trabaho. Madaming mas nangangailangan ng pera ngayon. Sana doon na lang ilaan at sana doon ibuhos ang oras.
I am also appealing to everyone to express support for those being red-tagged like Liza Soberano, Catriona Grey, and all the others just because they are expressing their beliefs peacefully
By being vocal about my opinions and advocacies, I have always been attacked. Those I could ignore but this is a different level altogether. And so I have to speak up once again because this baseless and reckless red-tagging jeopardizes not only my safety, but also the safety of my sister and our family."
May paniniwala ako, may paniniwala ka. At sa ilalim Ng Consitution, pareho tayong mayroon karapatan sa ating nga sariling paniniwala.
Banner image from Angel Locsin's Instagram (@therealangellocsin)