Hydrolyzes the ester bond of the fatty acyl group attached at the sn-2 position of phospholipids such as phosphatidylcholine (PubMed:31413195). Involved in gametogenesis; however, it is not clear whether it is involved in gametocytes development in host erythrocytes or in gametocyte activation in the mosquito midgut (PubMed:31413195, PubMed:31734953). Involved in gametocyte development in host erythrocytes; however, not involved in gametocytes activation including male gamete exflagellation (PubMed:31734953). Involved in the rounding up of gametocytes following activation in the mosquito midgut; however, not required for gametocyte development in host erythrocytes (PubMed:31413195). Required for exflagellation of activated male gametocytes (PubMed:31413195). Involved in gametocytes egress from host erythrocytes by promoting the relocalization of perforin-like protein PLP2-containing vesicles to the periphery of gametocytes; PLP2 secretion is required for permeabilization of the erythrocyte membrane and thus, promotes gametocyte egress (PubMed:31413195). Dispensable for asexual blood stage development (PubMed:31413195). a 1,2-diacyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine + H2O = a 1-acyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine + a fatty acid + H(+) 1,2-dihexadecanoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine + H2O = 1-hexadecanoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine + H(+) + hexadecanoate Expressed during the asexual blood stage, including in rings, trophozoites and schizonts (at protein level) (PubMed:31413195, PubMed:31734953). Expressed in male and female gametocytes from stage II to stage V (at protein level) (PubMed:31413195, PubMed:31734953). Gametocyte maturation is delayed (PubMed:31734953). No defect in exflagellation of male gametes, formation of macrogametes and zygotes following gametocyte activation (PubMed:31734953). At the ring stage, levels of phosphatidylcholine are increased (PubMed:31734953). Dispensable for asexual blood stage growth (PubMed:31734953). Belongs to the patatin family.