DEFENSE Secretary Delfin Lorenzana yesterday described a “fake news” and “irresponsible propaganda” social media reports that said retired and active military officers, supposedly under a group called “Viber 500,” are threatening to withdraw support from President Duterte.
“I am not, and will never be, a part of any such group — neither are the officials at the Department of National Defense, many of whom are also retired military officers,” he said.
Armed Forces chief Gen. Cirilito Sobejana Sobejana said the social media reports are not true. He expressed confidence no soldier will join any such group as he appealed to the public to be discerning in sharing information that only causes alarm amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
He said the “malicious posts” on social media are meany to sow confusion and advised the public “to remain calm and dismiss them as another disinformation.”
Lorenzana said the spread of disinformation “is an act of reckless agitation emanating from detractors, who have a limited and myopic appreciation of issues.”
He called on destabilizers “to cease from propagating malicious statements, especially at a time when our people should all be coming together in the face of the challenges that we are all currently facing.”
“You are not helping our country and people at all,” he said.
The Viber 500 has reportedly issued a “final warning” to President to denounce China and assert the country’s claims in the West Philippine Sea. The group said it will withdraw its support from the President if he would not take the side of the Philippines against China.
There is also a separate report on the social media that said the military is under “red alert” status due to a possible war with China.
The information was reportedly sent by an “Archbishop Martinez.” The message, which originated supposedly from one “General David,” asked the people to pray for the nation. It claimed that aircraft from United States, France, Japan and Australia have been landing at the Clark Air Base to help in case war breaks out with China and an “Arab country.”
China has drawn flak from some of President Duterte’s Cabinet men and various sectors in the Philippines, and from the international community for the massing of its militia ships inside the Philippines’ 200-exclusive economic zone in the West Philippine Sea since last month.
On March 7, the Philippine Coast Guard spotted some 220 Chinese vessels at the Julian Felipe Reef but these later dispersed to other areas in the West Philippine Sea. The Coast Guard last week reported the presence of some 240 Chinese militia vessels in several areas in Philippine waters.
Sobejana said he has directed his staff to find out how the false information started.
He said there are two generals surnamed “David” in the Armed Forces but they have retired. One of them is former AFP chief and former Defense Undersecretary Ricardo David.
The other David, Sobejana said, is Ricardo’s younger brother, retired commodore Renato (brigadier general in the Army), is currently with the Mutual Benefit Association Inc, a military financial institution.
Netizens noted there has been no “Archbishop Martinez” since the 1900s.
