ACORDA’S CASE REASON WHY VLOGGERS SHOULD BE REGULATED
THE case of an angry PNP chief, General Benjie Acorda who on Monday filed criminal charges against a content creator who claimed that he and Armed Forces chief Gen. Romeo Brawner are plotting to destabilize the young Marcos administration must serve as an ‘eye-opener’ to the public, vloggers in particular.
The fabricated vlog that went viral on the social media prompted the top cop to file charges against the content creator identified as a certain ‘Johnny Lacsamana Macanas Sr.’ The cases were for violation of Article 154 (Unlawful Means of Publication) of the Revised Penal Code of the Philippines as amended by Republic Act No. 10951 in relation to Section 6 of Republic Act. No. 10175 otherwise known as “Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012.
This particular case again brings to my mind the need for the creation of a regulatory body that will oversee the content that Philippine vloggers produce. Just look at the case of some vloggers who claim that this celebrity, this actor, this actress is dead when the truth is they are strong like a horse. The vlog which made it appear that Generals Acorda and Brawner are already calling for the ouster of PBBM tops them all.
Last year, I fully agreed with Senator Raffy Tulfo when he called for the creation of a regulatory body, say a Kapisanan ng mga Vloggers sa Pilipinas, that will oversee the activities of vloggers in the country citing the proliferation of fake news on social media.
The popular television-radio personality-turned lawmaker said there are many responsible independent vloggers but there are also others who are heedless enough to spread false information online just like that guy Macanas.
I fully agree with Sen. Tulfo when he said that this could help prevent the spread of fake news on digital platforms. “Marami dyang vloggers na sumusunod sa code of ethics at tamang pamamaraan para ilabas ang storya sa social media, pero meron pa rin talaga dyan na may mga gerilya na kapag umupak ay upak lang, without thinking of the consequence dahil walang nagreregulate sa kanila,” he said.
Indeed, regulation You Tube contend could help prevent the spread of misinformation, hate speech, and harmful material and at the same time could also protect children from being exposed to inappropriate contents.
Now is the time for vloggers to be professional and really play a role in reshaping societal perceptions and norms. Now is the time for vloggers to use their platforms to raise awareness about social issues, be real advocate for change and use their platforms to create safe spaces for marginalized communities.
On Monday, after visiting their Traslacion preparations, Gen. Acorda went to the Q.C. Prosecutor’s Office to file the criminal charges against the vlogger who was described as a former member of the AFP.
“Ang isinampa po nating kaso ay dahil sa pagpapakalat po ng hindi totoong information na ang ating chief PNP ay nag-withdraw na ng support sa ating Presidente at hinihikayat ang ating Presidente na mag-resign na po,” my friend, PNP spokesperson Colonel Jean Fajardo said.
A lawyer, Col. Fajardo emphasized that the PNP respects the freedom of speech and expression, but spreading of misinformation “to advance personal or even political
interest at the expense of another person” is wrong.
The PNP chief was accompanied by PNP Anti-Cybercrime Group director, Major Gen. Sydney Hernia, Q.C. Police District director, Brigadier Gen. Red Maranan and Col. Fajardo in filing the complaint.
Col. Fajardo said the vlogger behind the “General’s Opinion,” a YouTube channel with 104,000 followers has claimed that police and military generals and even the President’s sister, Senator Imee Marcos are already convincing the Commander-in-Chief to resign while warning of violence if the latter will not heed the supposed call.
To add credence to his claim, the channel has used the photographs of Generals Acorda and Brawner.
Before filing the complaint, Gen. Acorda called on his men to remain focused and united in fighting all efforts to destabilize the young Marcos Jr. government even as he congratulated his personnel for their unwavering commitment and dedication to duty in 2023.
The PNP leadership has repeatedly aired its solid support behind the Constitution and the duly-constituted authorities and vowed to fight any attempt to undermine the administration amid a number of social media posts which tend to destabilize the government.
Gen. Acorda has also warned content creators that spreading false information thru the social media is a violation of the law that may send them to jail. “In the face of disinformation circulating in different platforms, let us remain united as law enforcers, upholding the rule of law, respecting the Constitution and defending our government,” the top cop said.
“As your chief, Philippine National Police, I am counting on you! Gentlemen, we respect the freedom of expression and freedom of speech but of course, as law enforcers, we are mandated by law to protect the community and enforce the law,” he added.
“It hurt me that there are people na gusto lang maging sikat yung kanilang vlog ay gagawa ng mga disinformation. No less than my face, the face of the Chief of Staff, posted and went viral saying the AFP and the PNP withdrawing support or asking the resignation of the President is unforgivable. Hindi po tama yun,” Gen. Acorda said.
The PNP chief lashed at vloggers who are behind the disinformation campaign even as he cited the sacrifices of the police force, rain or shine to keep peace and order and promote investment and tourism in the country.
“Pero dahil lang sa mga ito, sa pangsarili, nagki-create ng hindi magandang imahe sa ating bayan, We don’t tolerate these things and the people are counting on us. Alam ng ating mga kababayan na tayo ay nagsasakripisyo buong-buo. Sana naman konting respeto kahit sa uniporme lang. Huwang naman i-post using disinformation just to create a viral vlog,” he said.
CONGRATULATIONS TO NEWLY-PROMOTED PNP OFFICIALS
On a personal note, I would like to congratulate some friends from the police force who have been promoted to the next higher rank by PBBM following a recommendation from Gen. Acorda and the National Police Commission chaired by Interior and Local Government Secretary Benhur Abalos Jr.
Promoted to the rank of Police Lieutenant General was Major Gen. Jonnel Estomo, currently the commander of the Area Police Command-Western Mindanao. On the other hand, the director of the PNP Directorate for Human Resource and Doctrine Development, Brigadier Gen. Ronald Lee was promoted to the rank of Police Major General.
Estomo and Lee are both members of Philippine Military Academy ‘Tanglaw-Diwa’ Class of 1992.
On the other hand, Colonels Tony Marallag Jr. and Ramil Montilla were promoted to the rank of Brigadier General. Marallag, a member of PNP Academy ‘Sandigan’ Class of 1994 is the director of the PNP Headquarters Support Service otherwise known as the Camp Crame commander while Montilla of PNPA ‘Tagapaglunsad’ Class of 1993 is the Executive Officer of the Area Police Command-Eastern Mindanao.
The Commander-in-Chief also signed the promotion papers of 29 new PNP Full-Fledged Colonels namely Colonels Melvin R. Montante, Jectopher D. Haloc, Joel L. Mendoza, Louisito B. Meris, Edison A. Dumangas, Eugene M. Marcelo, Christopher D. dela Peña, Larry D. Buansi, Fidel DG Junio, Louredeliza G. Cejes, Joseph A. Fajardo Jr.. Ryan A. Devaras, George D. Depalog Jr,. Edward S. Aquintey, Greg A. Soliba, Richard B. Albon, Jonathan P. Pablito, Jofhel F. Calapiz, Roderick D. Valdez, Terence L. Navarra, Joselito M. de Sesto, Benjamin B. de Peralta Jr., Cirilo B. Acosta Jr., Cerrazid A. Umabong and Renante R. Baltazar.
The promotion papers of the 34 was transmitted to the office of the DILG chief by Executive Secretary Lucas P. Bersamin after they were signed by President Marcos.
