MANILA — Philippine National Police (PNP) chief General Benjamin Acorda Jr. filed a case on Monday against a certain Johnny Lacsamana Macanas Sr. who allegedly used his name and photo in a viral vlog.
The vlog that made rounds on social media supposedly claimed that Acorda and Armed Forces of the Philippines Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr. were plotting to destabilize the administration and calling President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to resign.
Police Col. Jean Fajardo, PNP spokesperson, told reporters that Macanas was believed to be a former member of the AFP.
According to Fajardo, Acorda personally went to the Quezon City Prosecutor’s Office on Monday to file the criminal case.
“The case filed against this person is in violation of Article 154 of the Revised Penal Code as amended by RA 10951, in relation to section 6 of the Cybercrime Law,” said Fajardo in a press briefing.
“The case we filed is due to the spreading of false information that our PNP chief has withdrawn support to our President and is encouraging our President to resign,” Fajardo emphasized.
Fajardo then stressed that spreading disinformation to advance personal and political interest at the expense of another person is wrong. This, according to the PNP spokesperson, is proof that everyone’s right must be respected.
In a separate speech, Acorda said this act is unforgivable.
“It hurts me that there are people who just want their vlog to be popular and spread disinformation. No less than my face, the face of the chief of staff, posted and viral saying the AFP and the PNP [are] withdrawing support or asking for the resignation of the President is unforgivable,” said Acorda during Monday’s flag raising ceremony. (Charie Abarca © Philippine Daily Inquirer)
