HEADLINE-DU30’S COUP | MANILA- THE Philippine National Police (PNP) hunts source of fake Marcos-resign post  

PNP spokesman Col. Jean Fajardo

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THE Philippine National Police (PNP) has ordered “intensified cyber patrolling” to flush out the source of a fake social media post about police and military chiefs supposedly compelling President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to step down.

The PNP chief, Gen. Benjamin Acorda Jr., on Friday directed the PNP Anti-Cybercrime Group (ACG) to find out the source of the post.

PNP spokesman Col. Jean Fajardo said a blogger, whom she did not identify but who claims to be a former general, had posted that Acorda and Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Chief of Staff Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr. were trying to convince the President to resign.

Fajardo belied the blogger’s claim. “There’s no truth about it, as the PNP organization is a professional institution, and remains loyal to the Constitution and is apolitical.”

She said the PNP will file criminal charges against the supposed former military officer for circulating fake information.

Fajardo urged the public to refrain from sharing the post since they too could be held liable.

Hours after the PNP issued a statement, Brawner came out with a similar declaration of loyalty.

Brawner said the AFP “stands firm in its unwavering loyalty to the Constitution and its solemn commitment to fulfill its mandate.”

AFP Public Affairs chief Col. Xerxes Trinidad also said in a statement on Thursday that the “men and women of the AFP remain steadfast in their role as the guardians of our nation’s sovereignty and defenders of democratic principles.”

“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,” Trinidad said.

Rumors about a destabilization plot by retired military officers also surfaced in November following Brawner’s speech during a change of command ceremony in Western Mindanao, but the AFP was quick to dispel them.

AFP spokesman Col. Medel Aguilar said Brawner simply reminded military personnel “to remain professional and loyal to their oath to protect the people and the State.”