Some soldiers ”admonished” as AFP probe over UP list continues

January 26, 2021

A military official said Monday some soldiers were admonished after an inaccurate list of former University of the Philippines (UP) students who allegedly joined the New People's Army (NPA) was posted in the Facebook page of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) J7 or the Civil Military Operation Office.

Major General Benedict Arevalo, AFP deputy chief of staff for civil military operations, said although  the investigation is not finished there were military personnel ''admonished at the minimum''.

"The investigation and report is not yet completed but of course some were admonished at the minimum so let's see what other actions will be taken," he said.

"I will not give the number (of personnel) but at the minimum (they are) the one holding the social media on our office and we'll see what other, if there is  punishment will be meted, if the reports are complete," he added.

According to the statement of apology issued by the AFP Information Exchange on its Facebook page, the "Office of the J7, AFP is already conducting an internal investigation as to how the list got published. Personnel who are responsible will be held to account."

"We sincerely apologize for those who were inadvertently affected by inconsistencies regarding the list of students who joined the NPA (died or captured) that was posted in the AFP Information Exchange Facebook account. That article has since been immediately taken down or deleted from our social media accounts," the statement said.

"We want to assure the public that we are now reviewing our processes and procedures to ensure that similar incident will not happen again in the future," it stated.

"The Office of J7, AFP remains committed to providing and disseminating information on social media platforms that will contribute to a better Philippines for all," the statement added. Robina Asido/DMS