CICC gathers video evidence vs ‘destab’ vlogger

MANILA, Philippines —  The Cybercrime Investigation and Coordinating Center (CICC) has gathered video evidence against a retired military general turned vlogger, who was charged with cyberlibel by Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Gen. Benjamin Acorda Jr.

Retired general Johnny Macanas Sr. has been accused of engaging in subversive activities on his vlogs on YouTube, according to CICC executive director Alexander Ramos.

The CICC said it is ready to turn over the pieces of evidence that they have gathered from Macanas’ YouTube content.

Macanas was perceived to have crossed the line between exercising his constitutional right to freedom of speech and violation of this freedom.

At the Kapihan sa Manila Bay media forum yesterday, Ramos said Macanas was shown on video allegedly calling for the downfall of the current government.

Although the Constitution protects one’s right to freedom of speech, Ramos said this right has limitations.

“If you have grievances, express it in a proper way and forum. But when you ask for the downfall of the government, that is subversion,” he added.

Ramos said Macanas has removed all his vlogs from YouTube.

Ramos said the CICC collected the video content of Macanas to use as evidence. He said the content was viewed over 100,000 times.

The CICC monitors questionable activities on social media platforms, especially subversive content that encourages destabilization of the government.

Meanwhile, Macanas said the cybercrime complaints filed against him by Acorda would not stop him from expressing his thoughts on his vlog.

Macanas vowed to answer the charges filed against him before the Quezon City Prosecutor’s Office.

“They might think the complaint would stop me from vlogging. They’re wrong, I will continue as long as I’m breathing,” Macanas said in Filipino on his vlog on Tuesday night.

Acorda filed complaints against Macanas after the retired general used the PNP chief’s photograph in one of the vlogs, wherein he discussed the information he received that some active military and police generals are convincing Marcos to step down.

It appeared that Macanas has edited that particular vlog.

The vlog made Acorda furious.

The video no longer contained the pictures of Acorda, Armed Forces chief Romeo Brawner Jr. and Marcos.

The caption, which stated that military and police generals are convincing Marcos to step down, is gone.

The original caption was replaced with “Dumarami tao (More people) convincing PBBM to do the right thing?”