Army apologizes after manipulating photo of alleged surrendered rebels

The military did this after they drew criticisms from netizens, explaining that they did not intend to mislead the public, but to “protect the lives of former rebels who placed themselves at risk by surrendering to the government.” (File photo: Philippine Army/Facebook)

The Philippine Army’s 9th Infantry Division apologized and admitted that it manipulated a photo of alleged communist rebels who turned themselves in.

The military did this after they drew criticisms from netizens, explaining that they did not intend to mislead the public, but to “protect the lives of former rebels who placed themselves at risk by surrendering to the government.”

Major Ricky Anthony Aguilar, spokesperson of the 9th Infantry Division, added that they were not able to double-check the photos they sent to the media due to their “ardent desire to release timely information.”

“We admit to have committed a mistake though by manipulating the picture for the sole purpose of ensuring the safety of the lives of the FRs (former rebels) and their families. We apologize for the honest mistake. We are hoping for your kind understanding,” Aguilar said.

On Thursday, the day that the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) marked its 51st founding anniversary, the army released a press statement announcing that some 306 rebels surrendered themselves into the military. Along with it is an image of supposed rebels in Masbate, whose faces were blurred, lining up in front of a desk with firearms on top of it.

Netizens, however, were quick to notice that it was manipulated, saying that these supposed rebels have no shadows and it looked like they are floating on air in the photo.

Some social media users also noticed that these alleged rebels were wearing the same clothes with a group of people in a picture uploaded online in 2017.

STRIKE 1: Poorly edited photo of fake rebel surrenderees. Photo from AFP, posted by @gmanews and @dzbb

STRIKE 2: Those fake surrenderees in Masbate have already "surrendered" last June 2017!

Hindi lang pala fake. Recycled pa!
Hirap kumita ng mga nasa AFP! pic.twitter.com/YLuFdXNW1y

— Raoul Manuel #Kabataan (@iamRaoulManuel) December 27, 2019

Philippine Army spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Ramon Zagala, as quoted as saying in a GMA News report, said they will be conducting an investigation into the incident.

“Rest assured we hold to a high standard those who release information and a violation of policy will be dealt with accordingly,” he said.