Duterte spokesman distances self from PCO’s ‘martial law now’ video

Presidential spokesman Ernesto Abella on Thursday distanced himself from the controversy triggered by an animated video prepared by the Presidential Communications Office in connection with a documentary on martial law in Mindnanao.

Abella instead referred reporters to PCO head Secretary Andanar when asked about the video and the apparently erroneous posts of the Philippine News Agency and Communications Assistant Secretary Mocha Uson.

At a press conference in Malacañang, Abella indicated that he was not part of the preparation of the martial law video.

“I think the question should best be given to Sec. Martin… We did not prepare it,” he said.

Andanar has yet to comment on the matter.

The PCO on Wednesday posted an animated video captioned #DefendTheRepublic.

It featured a boy holding a shield “martial law” against silhouettes of armed men tagged as “extremists.”

“Martial law should be the rule of the land. Martial law now,” the video said.

PCOO Assistant Secretary Kris Ablan told GMA News Online that the video was a teaser for the agency’s Extremism & Martial Law project.

It was launched after President Rodrigo Duterte declared martial law in Mindanao on May 23 after ISIS-linked terrorists attacked Marawi City.

Asked about the particular line, Abella said that policies are made based on the Constitution. 

“Basically, that… Ang ating pong ano… The north star of all our policies is the Constitution,” he said. —NB, GMA News