PNP CHIEF Gen. Benjamin Acorda Jr yesterday filed charges against a retired Army general who said on social media that military and police generals were convincing President Marcos Jr to resign.
Acorda lodged the case against retired brigadier general Johnny Macanas Sr before the Quezon City Prosecutor’s Office for violation of Article 154 (unlawful use of means of publication and unlawful utterances) of the Revised Penal Code, as amended by Republic Act 10951, in relation to Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012.
Macanas was spokesman of the Army’s 4th Infantry Division based in Cagayan de Oro City and also served as commander of the AFP Reserve Command.
In his blog, Macanas also said the President’s sister, Sen. Imee Marcos, was also urging her brother to step down.
Macanas’ video post flashed the pictures of Armed Forces chief Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr, PNP chief Gen. Benjamin Acorda Jr and the President.
“The case was filed due to spreading of false information that our Chief PNP withdrew his support from our President and convincing our President to resign,” PNP spokeswoman Col. Jean Fajardo said.
Fajardo said the PNP respects the right of everyone to express their grievances against the government. “But their exercise of our right should be within the bounds of law. We respect their freedom of expression, their freedom of speech. Anyone is free to express their sentiments but as we said they should be exercised within the bounds of law,” she said.
“Spreading disinformation to advance your personal or even political interest at the expense of another is wrong,” she added.
Acorda, several hours before proceeding to the Quezon City Prosecutors Office to file the case against Macanas, said during the flag ceremony at the PNP headquarters in Camp Crame, Quezon City that spreading false information is “unforgivable.”
Fajardo said the PNP cannot tolerate the use of social media to spread of fake news.
“The issue is not only about our Chief PNP… We should stop spreading lies and deception… This is not about our Chief PNP, this is about being responsible in the exercise of our rights under the Constitution,” she said.
Fajardo said Acorda was “hurt” by the disinformation, leading to the filing of charges.
“They are free to express their opinion. They are free to air their grievances against anyone, even against our government but please spare the PNP,” she added.
Fajardo reiterated the PNP will not participate in any move to destabilize the government.
“The PNP will always uphold the Constitution and obey legal orders of the duly constituted authorities. We are 100 percent behind this administration,” she said.
Fajardo said the PNP remains “apolitical, we remain solid and intact and professional.”
The Armed Forces said it is solid and united behind the chain of command amid talks of destabilization efforts.
“We are confident that the active military personnel are professional and will follow the chain of command,” AFP spokesman Col. Medel Aguilar in a radio interview, dismissing destabilization talks within the Armed Forces.
“There is no such (thing) in the AFP,” said Aguilar on destabilization talks within the military. “We can assure the public that we are solid and united and we will continue to be focused on our mission,” he added.
Aguilar acknowledged that some retired military officers are against President Marcos. He said retired officers no longer wield influence over those in the active service, specifically when it comes to the accomplishment of missions.
The missions, Aguilar said, include defeating the communist insurgency and enhancing territorial defense operations.
“The retired are already outside the military organization. Of course they had relationships (with those in the active service) before, but this doesn’t matter anymore when it comes to mission accomplishment or with respect to the performance of our tasks,” said Aguilar.
“The Armed Forces of the Philippines is assuring the public that our soldiers are focused on their mission. We are performing very important missions and they should not distracted,” he added.
He asked interest groups not to “drag” the military into the destabilization talks “because it will not be good for our country.”
He also soldiers will not be involved in such plots “because they know the problem if they join such acts.”
