Director Guillermo Eleazar, head of the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO), disputed Thursday a social media post claiming that he was castigated by a Chinese Embassy official for allowing protesters to hold an anti-Chinese rally at the consulate office in Makati City.
For one, Eleazar said the photo was not taken in front of the Chinese consulate office in Makati City but at the Rizal Park in Manila.
“It’s fake news. Actually, the Chinese official was actually thanking me for the security arrangement we unfolded,” said Eleazar.
In the social media post with the photo of Eleazar and the unidentified Chinese official, it was claimed in the caption that the NCRPO was receiving a tongue-lashing from the latter over the presence of anti-China protesters.
The Chinese official, which is projected to be mad allegedly because of his facial expression, purportedly told Eleazar that the protest action should have not been allowed since it is illegal.
But Eleazar said there was no verbal confrontation that happened.
He said the Chinese consulate official did not even ask about the protest action. What was discussed, according to him, was the security preparations.
“Modestly, I was telling him we’re just doing our job and reciprocating the excellent security coverage they provided when President Duterte was in China,” said Eleazar.
“He is not mad at all. Maaraw lang kaya mukhang nakasimangot,” he added.
While the Chinese official did not ask about the rally, Eleazar said he still told him that the PNP is lenient with protesters since it is guaranteed in the Philippine Constitution.
“I added that I even allowed protesters to rally in Makati even without permit as long as they avoid engagement areas and routes taken by our visitors,” said Eleazar.
CYBER LIBEL
The social media post on the Facebook page of Bantay Nakaw Coalition got more than 1,800 comments and more than 3,000 shares. It was posted on Wednesday morning.
The same photo was also posted in other anti-China and anti-Duterte Facebook pages.
“Given this fake news fad, I would like to inform the public that netizens who post such fallacies are liable for Cyber Libel,” said Eleazar.
The offense, according to Eleazar, is punishable by up to 12 years imprisonment.
“Stop or risk getting caught and arrested,” Eleazar warned.
Eleazar earlier expressed gratitude to almost 6,000 policemen who helped secure the visit of Chinese President Xi Jinping from November 20 to 21. (Aaron Recuenco)
