Retired general: Case filed by PNP won’t silence me

A RETIRED Army general described as harassment the case filed against him by PNP chief Gen. Benjamin Acorda Jr for allegedly spreading fake news on a supposed destabilization plot against the Marcos administration.

In his “The General’s Opinion” blog on Monday night, retired Brig. Gen. Johnny Macaranas nevertheless said he is going to answer the case filed before the Quezon City Prosecutor’s Office on Monday afternoon.

“The way I see it, they are trying to harass me and stop me from blogging through this case,” said Macaranas, a former commander of the AFP Reserve Command, in a video posted on his blog.

“If the purpose of this administration in filing the case is to harass me and silence me, they are wrong because I am going to continue expressing my opinion to enlighten the people who want to listen to me,” he added.

Acorda lodged the complaint against Macaranas for violation of Article 154 (unlawful use of means of publication and unlawful utterances) of the Revised Penal Code, as amended by Republic Act 10951, in relation to Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012.

The case stemmed from Macanas’ earlier video post where he alleged that military and police generals were convincing President Marcos Jr to resign. Macanas also said the President’s sister, Sen. Imee Marcos, was also urging her brother to step down.

Macanas’ video post flashed the pictures of Acorda, Armed Forces chief Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr, and the President.

In his latest video, Macanas said he is merely exercising his freedom of expression.

“This (filing of case) is a clear effort to curtail freedom of expression. The democracy which we are supposed to enjoy is fading,” he said.

Macaranas said he is not trying to destabilize the government or inciting violence. He said the statement he made in the previous video was based on opinion, analysis and experience.

“I am very sure that I didn’t say anything bad against the government, I am not inciting violence. I did not mention any name of a general, what I said was generic,” he said.

He said he is a little nervous after learning a case was filed against him.

“But I have to face the consequences, I have to answer the case. I will wait for the subpoena to