AFP chief orders probe on social media complaint vs soldiers

Armed Forces of the Philippines chief of staff Gen. Eduardo Año has ordered to look into an open letter circulating on social media, complaining of insensitive comments posted by active and inactive members of the military on a supposed fake news.

“Gen. Año has ordered the Provost Marshall General of the AFP to conduct thorough investigation on the matter forthwith,” the AFP released in a statement on Monday through its Facebook page.

The complaint was based on fake news posted by someone who was reportedly once part of the military. The fake news read that Maria Ressa of news site Rappler was claiming that “90 people per minute wanted to rape her.”

Some of the comments written by active and non-active members of the military about the fake news were made in bad taste which prompted a netizen to make an open letter to the AFP chief through PinoyAko blog.

“Nakakalungkot lang pong isipin na may ganitong mentalidad po ang ating mga member ng AFP at PMA alumni. Di ba po very strict po sa proper conduct ang PMA at AFP? Pero bakit ganito po? This is misogyny. May mga magulang tayo, ina at kapatid na babae, asawa at anak na babae, mukhang kailangan po nilang magrefreseher sa pagrespeto sa mga kababaihan,” part of the letter read.

The AFP chief was “upset” by the reports circulating online: “It was not sanctioned and it will never be tolerated by the AFP. Such behavior was not taught at the Philippine Military Academy.”

“Much as the original post was made by someone who was no longer part of the military, the ungentlemanly comments posted by some who are still in the active service, through in their personal capacities, were nonetheless of poor taste and do not bespeak of them as members of the military organization,” the AFP said.

“We publicly apologize to Miss Maria Ressa for the emotional pain, anxiety, and humiliation those irresponsible comments and unkind remarks might have caused her,” the military said. FM/JE