Acorda: Destab allegations vs. PNP, AFP 'unforgivable'

From the Philippine News Agency (Jan 8, 2024): Acorda: Destab allegations vs. PNP, AFP 'unforgivable' (By Christopher Lloyd Caliwan and Priam Nepomuceno)

MANILA – Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Gen. Benjamin Acorda Jr. on Monday cried foul over the act of some vloggers who sow disinformation, pointing to him and Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) chief Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr. as allegedly leading destabilization plots against President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.

“It hurts me that there are some people who, for the sake of gaining popularity through their vlogs, would sow disinformation. No less than my face, the face of the CSAFP (Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines) posted and went viral, saying the AFP and the PNP withdrawing support or asking for the resignation of the President. It's unforgivable,” he said during Monday's flag-raising ceremonies at Camp Crame in Quezon City.

Acorda said these acts are an affront to the uniformed services' efforts to secure the country.

"We try to promote investments and tourism pero dahil lang sa mga ito, sa pansarili nagki-create na hindi magandang imahe sa ating bayan (but these selfish acts do not create a good image for the country)," he said.

In the face of disinformation in various social media platforms, Acorda urged all PNP members to unite to uphold the rule of law, the Constitution and to defend the government.

Acorda also appealed to the vloggers not to post defamatory content just to attract viewers.

Meanwhile, PNP spokesperson Col Jean Fajardo said Acorda filed a case against vlogger and retired Philippine Army Brig. Gen. Johnny Lacsamana Macanas before the Quezon City Prosecutors Office on Monday for linking him to destabilization plots against Marcos.

Fajardo said a complaint for violation of Article 154 (Unlawful Means of Publication) of the Revised Penal Code of the Philippines as amended by Republic Act (RA) 10951 in relation to Section 6 of RA 10175 otherwise known as "Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012".

“Nirerespeto natin ang kanilang freedom of expression, ang kanilang freedom of speech malaya ang sino man magpahayag ng kanilang saloobin but kagaya ng sinabi ko, this should be exercised within the bounds of the law (We respect their freedom of expression, their freedom of speech, anyone is free to express their opinion but as I have said, this should be exercised within the bounds of the law). Spreading disinformation to advance your personal or even political interest at the expense of another person is wrong,” she added.

Fajardo also stressed that the PNP will always uphold the Constitution and obey legal orders of the duly constituted authorities.

“We are 100 percent behind this administration kaya sa ating mga kababayan asahan niyo the PNP will remain apolitical, we remain solid and intact and professional ang inyong mga pulis at asahan niyo magtutuloy ang pagtupad ng ating mandato. Hindi mawawala yung focus natin in terms of providing security and other public services sa ating mga kababayan (We are 100 percent behind this administration, so to our compatriots, expect the PNP to remain apolitical, we remain solid and intact and professional, and expect your police to continue fulfilling our mandate. Our focus in terms of providing security and other public services to our countrymen will not be lost),” said Fajardo.

AFP: Don't drag us

Meanwhile, AFP spokesperson Col. Medel Aguilar said there is no destabilization within the military ranks.

"Wala pong ganyan sa (there is no such thing in the) AFP, we can assure the public that we are solid and united and we will continue, we will focus dun po sa ating (on our) mission(s). Huwag na lang muna kaming idamay-damay sa mga yan dahil (Do not involve on these kind of things) it will not be good for our country," he said in a radio interview.

Earlier, Brawner said the military remains loyal to the Constitution and committed to defeating all the threats facing the nation.

He added the AFP remains firm in its "unwavering loyalty" to the Constitution and its solemn commitment to fulfill its mandate.

Brawner said all AFP personnel remain steadfast in their role as the "guardians of our nation’s sovereignty and defender of democratic principles."

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1216517