PRESIDENTIAL Spokesman Ernesto Abella on Thursday disowned a martial law propaganda video released by the Presidential Communications Operations Office under Communications Secretary Martin Andanar, which was later taken down.
Struggling to deflect questions from Palace reporters on a 36-second animated video saying martial law should be “the rule of the land,” Abella once again directed questions towards Andanar, saying his office was the one that prepared the controversial video aimed at shoring up support for martial law as a means to combat “extremism.”
“I think the question should best be given to Secretary Martin [Andanar]. We did not prepare it” Abella told reporters.
He said he hadn’t seen the video but only the reaction of angry netizens.
Pressed on who approved the content of the released material, Abella again pointed at Andanar.
“There should really be a flow but in this particular case, they should be better referred to Secretary Martin,” he said.
“It’s not something we prepared. Thank you.”
The video shows a distressed boy trying to block off black silhouettes labeled “extremists” using a shield with the words “martial law” emblazoned on its surface.
“In a free society, there are groups who don’t want to give independence. They are adamant on detaining peaceful spirits. They are distressing feelings with fears. Let us not allow them to terrify us. We will all fight in unity. Martial law should be the rule of the land. Martial law. Now,” the video’s narration says.
The video was taken down at the official PCOO Twitter account on Wednesday night amid criticisms from netizens.