HEADLINE | MANILA- PNP probes fake memo on full alert
Gen. Andres Centino (Screenshot from RTVM livestream)
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Anti-Cybercrime Group spokesman Lt. Michelle Sabino PNA FILE PHOTO
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THE Philippine National Police (PNP) on Sunday said its Anti-Cybercrime Group is tracing the source of the false memorandums on the alleged order to all units to be on full alert because of the resignation of officials and personnel of the Department of National Defense.
Anti-Cybercrime Group spokesman Lt. Michelle Sabino said the memos and text messages made it appear that PNP chief Gen. Rodolfo Azurin Jr. issued a memorandum on Saturday, January 7, ordering a full alert.
Memento Maxima Digital MarketingPNP spokesman Col. Jean Fajardo said there was no directive from Azurin to go on full alert.
“There was no instruction for full alert status. What we can confirm is that the PNP is on heightened alert status in preparation for the Traslacion,” Fajardo said, referring to the celebration of the feast of the Black Nazarene today, January 9.
Millions of Nazarene devotees are expected to join the “Walk of Faith” procession that will replace the traditional Traslacion, which will not be held for the third straight year because of the Covid-19 pandemic.
A heightened alert is the PNP’s second highest alert level, equivalent to the military’s blue alert.
“If there is a need to investigate deeper regarding certain issues and concerns, we automatically do that,” Sabino said.
She warned people posting fake news they could be held criminally liable.
“We check the veracity of the posts or reports, and if evidence warrants, then we file appropriate charges,” Sabino said.
The supposed Azurin order also called for the monitoring of military troop movements.
The memo was reportedly signed by LtCol. Dexter Ominga of the PNP Regional Office in Cordillera.
Rumors of a destabilization plot being hatched by some members of the Armed Forces surfaced during the command turnover ceremonies in Camp Aguinaldo where Gen. Andres Centino took over from LtGen. Vicente Bacarro as chief of staff.
DND Officer in Charge Jose Faustino and other officials from the department did not respond to requests for comment by The Manila Times.
But AFP spokesman Col. Medel Aguilar doused the speculations, saying the military supports the decision of the Commander in Chief, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., to name Centino as Armed Forces chief of staff.
In separate statements, the Philippine Army and Philippine Navy also expressed support for Centino.
Centino served as the Army’s commanding general from May 14 to Dec. 10, 2021.
Army spokesman Col. Xerxes Trinidad said as a professional organization, the Philippine Army always respects and supports the decision of the Commander in Chief.
“We are confident that Gen. Centino, who earlier led the AFP from November 2021 to August 2022, will support the Philippine Army in attaining its vision of becoming a world-class land force that is a source of national pride by 2028. The organization is assured of its strides in its modernization thrusts,” Trinidad said in a statement.
The Navy also welcomed Centino.
“Being a professional organization, the PN wholly supports the decision of the Commander in Chief, His Excellency Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. The Philippine Navy will continue to fulfill its mandate to support the mission of the AFP in protecting and securing our country and our people,” it said in a separate statement.
Centino, who served as the AFP’s 57th chief of staff from November 2021 to August 2022, pursued key four thrusts during his stint: operational efficiency, optimal use of resources, advancement of professionalism and meritocracy within the organization, and capability development.
“As I take on the responsibility as chief of staff, I reiterate what I have focused on in the past to comply with the urgent tasks at hand. While significant gains have been achieved in our security campaigns, there remain critical tasks to be carried out that need to be fully complied. We must ensure that all our resources are employed to definitively address all the current and emerging threats,” he said.
WITH PHILIPPINE NEWS AGENCY
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