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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider OCD calls out disinformation on arrival of military equipment from US, France

OCD calls out disinformation on arrival of military equipment from US, France

Published Apr 2, 2024 07:35 am
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The Office of Civil Defense (OCD) cautions the public from believing disinformation online about the supposed arrival of military equipment from United States and China for the upcoming Exercise Balikatan 2024, quoting OCD Undersecretary Ariel Nepomuceno. (Photo screengrabbed from Youtube)

The Office of Civil Defense (OCD) warned the public on Tuesday, April 2, against the proliferation of false information about the supposed arrival to the country of military equipment from the United States and France.

An 8:08-minute long video uploaded by “Military Information” on social media platform Youtube last March 30 claimed that more than 400 containers of US and French military equipment have arrived in Subic Bay for the upcoming Balikatan Exercise set this month.

The video quoted one “Lieutenant General Ariel Nepomuceno” as the Commandant of the Philippine Marine Corps (PMC) to explain matters pertaining to Exercise Balikatan 2024.

However, Mr. Nepomuceno is not the PMC Commandant as he is currently serving as the OCD Administrator with a title or rank of undersecretary. The Marines is being led by Major General Arturo G. Rojas.

“The OCD wants to clarify that Usec. Nepomuceno is not the Commandant of the Philippine Marine Corps and no statement was issued by him or the agency regarding the matter considering that it is not within its purview,” the OCD said in a statement.

The video also used a photo of Usec. Nepomuceno although the OCD clarified that it was taken during a press conference on El Niño preparations in 2023, and is not related to any Balikatan activity.

“The agency reminds the public to follow only those credible and reliable sources and refrain from sharing unverified information,” the OCD noted.

The Philippines will host the 39th iteration of the Exercise Balikatan from April 22 to May 10.

Around 16,000 military personnel from the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and US Armed Forces will participate in the war games.

Contingents from other countries will also be joining including 150 troops from Australia, and an undetermined number of military personnel and a frigate from France. Fourteen nations will also deploy contingents as observers to the exercise, including 150 personnel from Japan.

Related Tags

Disinformation misinformation Office of Civil Defense Balikatan Exercises
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