AFP to punish infractions on `photo’
MANILA – Taking the alleged digitally manipulated photo of New Peopleʼs Army surrenderers seriously, Armed Forces of the Philippines Chief of Staff, General Noel Clement, vowed to punish any infractions as he ordered a thorough investigation of the incident.
This, according to Marine Brigadier General Edgard Arevalo, AFP spokesperson, in a statement re
leased Saturday night in the wake of a hullabaloo after netizens called out the Philippine Armyʼs 9th Infantry Division (ID) for a “photoshopped” image of communist surrenderers accompanying a press release about the mass surrender of 306 rebels in Masbate on Dec. 26.
“We uphold the highest standards in reporting and delivering information to the public. And everyone adheres to it as our credibility, no less, is at stake,” Arevalo said.
He added that it is a well-settled policy in the AFP that Press Releases be appropriately reviewed and validated.
“And if photos on file are to be used, it must be labeled as such,” he said. Unacceptable Department of National Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana earlier said he has directed the Army chief to conduct an inquiry and ensure that sanctions will be meted out against those responsible for the manipulated photos.
“This is very serious because it undermines the efforts of the whole Organization, the AFP,” he was quoted in a report.
The wrongdoing, he said, is unacceptable while the military is enjoying an unprecedented high trust rating from the people.
Appropriate sanctions Lt. Col. Ramon Zagala, Army spokesperson, said they will hold those accountable to face appropriate sanctions.
“We at the Philippine Army, hold our line units in high regard when it comes to the release of information to the media and the public and their admission to the mistake is proof of their commitment to the high standards of public affairs principles,” Zagala said in a statement.
According to the 9th ID Public Affairs Office, in its ardent desire to release timely information, they were not able to double-check the photos attached to the press release, he added.
In a statement issued on Friday night, the Army’ 9th ID said there was no intention to mislead, only to protect the identities of the “former rebels” who placed themselves at risk by surrendering to the government.