PNP's Acorda files raps vs ex-soldier over fake ouster plot

Philippine National Police (PNP) Chief Benjamin Acorda Jr. on Monday filed a complaint against a former soldier who used his name and photo with fake information about an alleged plot to oust President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.

PNP spokesperson Police Colonel Jean Fajardo said Acorda went to the Prosecutor's Office in Quezon City at 12:30 p.m. to file the complaint against John Lacsamana Macanas Sr.

The complaint was for violating Article 154 of the Revised Penal Code or the Unlawful Means of Publication as amended by Republic Act No. 10951 in relation to Section 6 of the Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012.

“Ang sinampa po nating kaso ay dahil sa pagpapakalat po ng hindi totoong information na ang ating Chief PNP ay nag-withdraw na po ng support sa ating President at hinihikayat ang ating Presidente na mag-resign,” Fajardo said in a press briefing.

(The complaint is for spreading false information that our Chief PNP has withdrawn his support for the President and that the Chief PNP is calling on the President to resign.)

Acorda slammed the accusations as “unforgivable."

“No less than my face, the face of the chief-of-staff, posted and viral, saying the AFP and the PNP withdrawing support or asking for the resignation of the President. It’s unforgivable,” Acorda said in Ian Cruz’s report on “24 Oras."

“Hindi po tama ‘yun,” he said. (That’s not right.)

PNP chief also said authorities are now investigating who started the social media posts. 

“We don't tolerate these things. The people are counting on us. Alam ng ating mga kababayan na tayo ay nagsasakrispisyo ng buo. Sana naman konting respeto kahit sa uniforme lang. Wag naman i-post using disinformation just to create a viral vlog,” he added. 

(We don’t tolerate these things. The people are counting on us. Our fellow Filipinos know how much we sacrifice. And I hope they will show respect even for our uniforms. Don’t post us using disinformation to create a viral vlog.)

The PNP had dismissed reports of destabilization plots against Marcos circulating on social media.

Fajardo said the PNP was coordinating with the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) to address these concerns.

GMA News Online had sought comment from Macanas, but he had yet to respond as of posting time.

“Sa ngayon, wala naman po tayong namo-monitor na any destabilization plot kagaya po ng naririnig natin lately,” Fajardo said in a Bagong Pilipinas Ngayon public briefing.

(Right now, we have not monitored any destabilization plots like what we have been hearing lately.)

“We are closely coordinating with our counterparts particularly the Armed Forces of the Philippines and we are ready to address these kinds of issues kung darating po tayo sa ganoong punto (in case we reach that point),” she added.

According to Fajardo, the PNP was aware of social media posts that used the photos of Acorda and AFP Chief of Staff Romeo Brawner Jr.

“May mga nakikita po tayo lately na mga naka-post sa social media particularly iyong paggamit ng picture ng ating Chief PNP mismo, iyong ating Chief of Staff. May mga panawagan po sa mga posts na iyon,” she said.

(Lately, we have been seeing social media posts, particularly those using the pictures of the Chief PNP and the Chief of Staff. There were appeals in the posts.)

Fajardo advised the public to disregard such social media posts. — DVM, GMA Integrated News