MANILA, Philippines — “Kung mag kaiba tayo [ng paniniwala], hindi ibig sabihin pwede mo na ako i-red tag. Hindi tayo magkakalaban dito.”
(If we have different views, that doesn’t mean you can red tag me. We are not enemies here.)
This was what Angel Locsin said on Friday after Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Southern Luzon Command chief Lt. Gen. Antonio Parlade Jr. warned actress Liza Soberano and other celebrities to withdraw their support for women’s group Gabriela.
In his statement posted on Facebook, Parlade warned Soberano and Miss Universe 2018 Catriona Gray not to “follow the path” of Ella Colmenares, who he alleged “took in the underground” is now a member of the New People’s Army (NPA).
Ella is Angel’s sister and previously shot back at the senior military general.
“We live in a country where our freedom to speak and express ourselves are enshrined and protected by the Constitution,” Angel, who is known to speak her mind when it comes to national and social issues, said in an Instagram post.
“May paniniwala ako, may paniniwala ka. At sa ilalim Ng Consitution, pareho tayong mayroon karapatan sa ating nga sariling paniniwala,” she added.
(I have my own beliefs, you have yours. And under the Constitution, we both have the right to have our own beliefs.)
The actress also “set the record straight” where she said she is not part of the NPA, nor does her sister or Bayan Muna chairman Neri Colmenares.
Angel, whose real name is Angelica Locsin Colmenares, is Neri’s aunt.
She then urged authorities: “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.”
(I am appealing to the authorities, let us right this wrong. Let us stop red-tagging.)
The actress then appealed to the public to express support to those being red-tagged, such as Soberano and Gray, “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,” Angel later said.
“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,” she added.