MANILA, Philippines – The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) has reminded members of the Police Regional Office 13 (PRO-13) in Caraga to use social media properly, for the dissemination of accurate information amid the ongoing pandemic.
CHR’s statement on Wednesday came after reports that the Caraga police’s official Facebook page posted a photo of Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (Bayan) secretary general Renato Reyes’ defaced photo and altered name, along with a caption calling on Reyes to just propose solutions instead of criticizing the government.
According to CHR spokesperson Jacqueline de Guia, officials of the government including those in law enforcement agencies are required to maintain high standards of professionalism in doing their job.
“Duty bearers like members of the law enforcement are bound by high standards of ethics and professionalism in carrying out their mandate,” De Guia said.
“Similarly, official communication platforms such as social media accounts must be utilized primarily as tools for disseminating accurate and reliable information to the public, particularly at this moment that our country is still battling with COVID-19,” she added.
The Caraga police FB post, which is now deleted, showed a manipulated photo of Reyes with horns while saying that “The Police and Military Actions in the fight against COVID-19 is to serve and help the nation.”
“Mr Retonto Reyes,” PRO-13 said in its post, making a play on the Spanish word “tonto” or stupid, “apart from nagging and demolitions, propose a solution rather than creating more confusion!”
Last Sunday, Reyes and Bayan vowed to take legal action on the issue. Then on Monday, Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Gen. Archie Gamboa warned police officers that they may be charged if they violate the organization’s social media protocols.
De Guia said that this is a welcome development as government offices’ social media accounts should no longer add to the already confusing pieces online, meant to disinform the public about various issues.
“[CHR] welcomes the reminder of Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Gen. Archie Gamboa to his fellow police officers to strictly observe their social media protocols, as defiance to this would be meted out with administrative and even criminal charges,” she said.
“In the sea of disinformation online, social media content of government offices must only forward genuine public interest and must never be used to malign any individual or cause any harm to anyone with baseless accusations,” she added.
Reyes and other activists have been the target of criticisms and other allegations, such as red-tagging or linking left-leaning activists with the communist armed struggle.
In the past, Reyes and other progressive leaders like Bayan Muna’s Neri Colmenares and Rep. Carlos Zarate, and Kabataan Rep. Sarah Elago were subject of a post — also from PRO-13 — implying that their organizations and actions sound legal but have motives that are actually against the law.
The administration and the leftists have had a peculiar relationship. When President Rodrigo Duterte was elected into office, he appointed three progressive leaders to his Cabinet, as part of confidence-building measures in anticipation of renewed peace talks.
However, Duterte fired all three when the New People’s Army and the Communist Party of the Philippines allegedly violated ceasefire agreements.