PNP wants destab videos deleted from Facebook, YouTube

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine National Police (PNP) wants the videos of two content creators claiming the existence of a supposed destabilization plot against President Marcos removed from social media platforms.

Col. Jean Fajardo, the PNP’s chief publicist, yesterday said they plan to communicate with Facebook and YouTube for the deletion of the videos from the platforms of the two social media companies.

Fajardo added that what they want particularly removed are the videos that used the photograph of PNP chief Benjamin Acorda Jr.

In a phone interview, Fajar-do disclosed that they would first let the Anti-Cybercrime Group (ACG) complete its probe on the two content creators, who are reportedly retired military officers.

“The ACG is now in the process of collating evidence to support the possible filing of criminal cases against those individuals posting the pictures of the PNP chief,” she added.

Once criminal complaints are filed against the content creators, the PNP will move for the deletion of the specific videos, according to the PNP official.

“We will be communicating directly with these social media platforms and bring to their attention these malicious false information using the name of the PNP,” she said in English and Filipino.

A security official earlier said the two content creators are the subject of an investigation, noting that their videos are saying the same message, that there is a widespread clamor among military and police officers for Marcos to step down from the presidency.

The PNP is eyeing criminal complaints against the two personalities for violation of Article 154 of the Revised Penal Code, or the unlawful use of means of publication and unlawful utterances, and Republic Act 10175, also known as the Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012.

Meanwhile, the Center for Media Freedom and Responsibility (CMFR) has expressed alarm over the warning of the PNP against online content creators who are viewed to be destabilizing the Marcos administration through their videos and posts.

CMFR executive director Melinda de Jesus said it seems that the PNP is acting as an arbiter of free expression with their threat.

De Jesus reminded the PNP that