PNP to look into complaint of Bayan official on police ”black propaganda”

June 8, 2020

The chief of the Philippine National Police (PNP) on Monday said they will look into the complaint of Bayan General Secretary Renato Reyes that a Facebook post of the Caraga regional police is “black propaganda”.

“We will look into it. I haven’t seen the post you are saying but we will look into it,” Police General Archie Gamboa said in a press briefing.

“As a matter of policy, we do not do that because we are working in the government,” Gamboa said.

According to Gamboa, he signed a PNP policy which enhances their social media protocol.

“Although we already have it before but there is an enhanced protocol on social media that should be observed by the members of the PNP,” he said.

The PNP chief said if evidence proved that the persons behind the post are responsible, not only administrative but criminal cases will be filed against them.

“They will face both charges if the evidence so warrants,” Gamboa said.

Last April, Caraga regional police posted an edited photo where they placed a horn at Reyes's picture and calling him to propose a solution rather than creating confusion by nagging and conducting rallies.

On May, they posted a photo not only of Reyes but also representatives of Kabataan and Bayan Muna which they captioned as“Tunog Legal, Motibong Illegal” (Sounds Legal, Motive is Illegal).

All photos are still posted in the Caraga regional police's official Facebook page.

In a statement, Reyes said they will hold the Caraga regional police liable for their posts.

“We are alerting the media and the PNP leadership regarding these crass and totally unprofessional posts of the Police Regional Office 13... This is obviously black propaganda. It is unethical for public officials to engage in such practices,” he said.

“We will take legal action against this people behind this Facebook page…  The PNP Region 13 will be held to account,” he added. Ella Dionisio/DMS