Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, January 9) — The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) is still studying possible actions against a retired army general who linked its chief to an alleged destabilization plot against President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.
According to sources at the AFP, while they wanted to distance themselves from the statements of Johnny Lacsamana Macanas, the organization may still decide to sue the retired official.This came after Philippine National Police (PNP) Chief Benjamin Acorda Jr. filed a complaint against Macanas over the vlog, which claimed that Acorda and AFP chief Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr. withdrew their support for Marcos.
READ: ‘Unforgivable’: PNP chief files complaint over ‘destab plot’ vlog
Macanas, a retired army brigadier general, uploaded the video on his YouTube Page “The General’s Opinion.
The video initially had the title “Good News! AFP PNP Generals convincing PBBM to resign?” But this was changed to: “Dumarami [ang] tao convincing PBBM to do [the] right thing?”
It also originally featured the AFP and PNP officials’ photos, alongside Marcos’.
As of posting on Tuesday afternoon, the video has garnered more than 100,000 views.
“It hurts me that there are people na gusto lang maging sikat ‘yung kanilang vlog ay gagawa ng mga disinformation [who will sow disinformation just to make their vlogs go viral],” Acorda said on Monday.
Macanas posted another video on Tuesday, a supposed response to Acorda’s complaint.
He said he was “slightly alarmed” following the PNP’s move.
But it is an expected risk sa pinasok kong trabaho as a political vlogger,” he said.Macanas asked for prayers and financial aid from his viewers, saying his situation mimics the “David and Goliath” story as he was facing a high-ranking official.This is a long battle,” he said.
