AFP reminds military, civilian personnel to observe proper decorum on social media

The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) on Thursday reminded its military and civilian personnel to observe proper behavior when using social media.

"All AFP military, civilian human resource, to include dependents, are directed to practice caution in publicizing personal opinion especially when engaging in social media activities," the AFP said in a directive that was relayed to different commanders of major services and unified commands.

The AFP said posting or sharing information online, which violate existing laws, rules, and regulations, is also prohibited.

Military and civilian personnel were also reminded not to spread information that may "harm or put other people in embarrassing, inconvenient, and or humiliating positions or put the AFP or any of its units in bad light."

"Each member of our organization has a responsibility to protect not only our physical structures and the lives they contain, but more importantly the people's trust and confidence that took many years to build," AFP chief General Felimon Santos said in a statement.

According to the AFP, posting personal opinion is not strictly prohibited in the organization, however, all personnel must ensure that their posts are not misconstrued as official statements of the AFP.

AFP Public Affairs Office chief Captain Jonathan Zata said the reminder was issued due to "posts and comments monitored in the past."

"We normally send this reiteration to remind AFP personnel about proper decorum in social media and not necessarily as a result of an incident," Zata said in a message to reporters.

The AFP also reminded its commanders and spokespersons to follow the Security-Accuracy-Propriety-Policy Rule published in a 2007 letter directive.

According to the AFP, security refers to measures that prevent unauthorized persons from having access to official and classified information while accuracy refers to the correctness of all data, names, figures, quotations, and statements.

On the other hand, propriety limits the disclosure of information within their official capacity and responsibility while policy refers to the adherence to a broad course of action or guidance adopted by the government in pursuit of certain objectives. — BM, GMA News