Philippine National Police chief Gen. Benjamin Acorda Jr. filed a complaint against a former soldier who used his name and photo to peddle fake information about an alleged plot to oust President Marcos.
PNP spokesperson Col. Jean Fajardo said Acorda went to the Prosecutor’s Office in Quezon City to file the complaint against retired Army Brig. Gen. John Lacsamana Macanas Sr., who goes by the handle “The Vlogging General” on YouTube.
“The complaint is for spreading false information that our Chief PNP has withdrawn his support for the President and that the Chief PNP is calling on the President to resign,” Fajardo said.
She said the complaint was for the violation of Article 154 of the Revised Penal Code or the Unlawful Means of Publication, as amended by the Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012.
Macanas has yet to issue a statement on the case filed against him.
“We are closely coordinating with our counterparts, particularly the Armed Forces of the Philippines and we are ready to address these kinds of issues,” Fajardo said.
She said the PNP was aware of social media posts that used the photos of Acorda as well as AFP chief of staff Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr.
Acorda, during Monday’s flag-raising ceremony at Camp Crame, said it was painful to note that “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.
Acorda said these acts are an affront to the uniformed services’ efforts to secure the country.
“We try to promote investments and tourism but these selfish acts do not create a good image for the country,” he said.
Acorda also appealed to the vloggers not to post defamatory content just to attract viewers.