The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) on Tuesday warned the public against a YouTube video circulating online that falsely claims the Philippines has reversed its security alliances, saying the content is misleading and does not reflect official policy or actions of the military or government.
Meanwhile, AFP chief Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr. enjoined the troops and civilian personnel to start the year with a renewed mindset grounded on gratitude, forgiveness, excellence, and hope.
In a statement, the AFP said the video contains false information and commentary designed to sound authoritative but are not based on verified facts.
“This is a prevalent tactic used by disinformation agents to create authoritative-sounding but false narratives. Such materials are designed to mislead, sow confusion, and erode public trust in national institutions,” the AFP explained.
The military urged the public to remain vigilant and discerning, and to verify information through official AFP and government platforms. It also cautioned against engaging with or sharing AI-generated content and unverified materials from questionable sources
Earlier, the military raised the warning the public against sharing, promoting, or engaging with online content that incites participation in armed struggle, rebellion, or acts of violence, stressing that such actions are punishable under Philippine law.
In his New Year remarks, Brawner said these positive attitudes should guide the actions of every soldier, airman, and sailor as the organization “moves forward in the new year.”
“Let us be thankful for all the blessings that the Lord has given to ourselves, to our families, to the AFP, and to our nation. Because when we have an attitude of gratitude, we feel blessed and content,” Brawner said.
He also emphasized the importance of forgiveness as the AFP.
“Let us forgive those who have wronged us in the year 2025 and in the past, because by doing so, our hearts will be lighter as we enter 2026,” the AFP chief said.
He likewise stressed the need for excellence in all duties as he called on all personnel to give their best in every responsibility entrusted to them.
“This year, 2026, let us strive to do our best in whatever job we have and in whatever task is entrusted to us,” he said.
Brawner closed his speech by reminding the troops to hold on to hope despite the challenges that the organization would face.
“There is always hope even when we fall or find ourselves at our lowest. We must not lose hope for ourselves, our organization, and most importantly our nation,” he said.
Brawner also encouraged all military personnel to act on their New Year’s resolutions by making concrete plans and regularly checking their progress.
