PNP: No loyalty check amid rumored ouster attempt vs Marcos

PNP spokesperson Col. Jean Fajardo answers questions from reporters after a media briefing in Camp Crame, Quezon City, in this file photo on April 25, 2023. (File photo by FAITH ARGOSINO  / INQUIRER.net)

MANILA, Philippines — There is no need for the Philippine National Police to conduct “loyalty checks” among its ranks amid a rumored ouster attempt against President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. allegedly orchestrated by some police and military generals.

In a press briefing at Camp Crame on Tuesday, PNP spokesperson Col. Jean Fajardo assured the public that the 228,000-strong PNP was “100-percent” behind the current administration.

“We do not need loyalty checks because the PNP is a professional organization. We know our mandate. And we are accountable to the Filipino people,” she said.

The Armed Forces of the Philippines also reiterated its “unwavering loyalty” amid new rumors of a destabilization plot against the Marcos administration, which authorities promptly denied.

“The men and women of the AFP remain steadfast in their role as the guardians of our nation’s sovereignty and defender of democratic principles,” AFP Chief of Staff Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr. said in an earlier statement.

Cyberlibel rap

“The AFP reassures the Filipino people that its members continue to exemplify the highest standards of professionalism. With the strong leadership of our Commander in Chief, the AFP will move as one in defeating all threats to our peace and national security,” he added.

On Monday, PNP chief Gen. Benjamin Acorda Jr. filed a cyberlibel complaint against retired-military-general-turned-vlogger Army Brig. Gen. Johnny Macanas Sr., for claiming that he and Brawner had withdrawn their support for Mr. Marcos and were calling on him to step down.

Flanked by other police officials, Acorda filed the complaint against Macanas in the Quezon City Prosecutor’s Office for violation of Article 154 of the Revised Penal Code (RPC) or “unlawful use of means of publication and unlawful utterances.”

The complaint was also logged under Section 6 of the Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012, imposing a penalty of one degree higher for crimes under the RPC.‘Disinformation’

“The complaint is for spreading false information that our Chief PNP has withdrawn his support for the President and that the Chief PNP is calling on the President to resign,” Fajardo said.

During Monday’s flag raising ceremony at Camp Crame, Acorda said he was hurt that “there were some people who, for the sake of gaining popularity through their vlogs, would sow disinformation.”

“No less than my face and the face of the chief of staff [were] posted and went viral, saying the AFP and the PNP [were] withdrawing support or asking for the resignation of the President. It’s unforgivable,” he said.

Acorda said these acts were an affront to the military and uniformed personnel in the country.

The Ilocos Norte Police Regional Office, the home province of the Marcoses, published on Monday a manifesto that stated its “unwavering support” for the President, signed by regional director Brig. Gen. Lou Evangelista.

Controversial video

Macanas’ YouTube vlog called “The General’s Opinion” has 110,000 subscribers.

On Dec. 30, 2023, he posted a 12-minute video, titled “Good News! AFP PNP Generals Convincing PBBM To Resign?”

On Tuesday, it was re-titled to “Dumarami tao (More people) convincing PBBM to do the right thing?”

Macanas claimed that active and retired police and military officials were already in talks with Mr. Marcos, telling him to step down. He also said that Sen. Imee Marcos, the President’s older sister, was also asking him to step down “to not tarnish the reputation of their father, the late President Ferdinand Marcos Sr.”

Macanas was among those who joined the 1989 coup attempt, considered the bloodiest mutiny against then-President Corazon Aquino.

He had another YouTube vlog named “The Vlogging General,” which went inactive in March 2022 where he used to post videos supporting the tandem of Mr. Marcos and Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte.