‘Martial law. Now’ propaganda video taken down
The Presidential Communications Operations Office has taken down a propaganda video aimed at shoring up support for martial law as a means to combat “extremism.”
The video, which is 36 seconds in length, shows a distressed boy who fends off black silhouettes labelled as “extremists” using a shield with the words “martial law” emblazoned on its surface.
Ominous background music plays while a voice narrates: “In the free society, there are groups who don’t want to give independence. They are adamant on detaining peaceful spirits. They are distressing feelings with fears. Let us not allow them to terrify us. We will all fight in unity. Martial law should be the rule of the land. Martial law. Now.”
The video was deleted on the PCOO’s various social media accounts on Wednesday night.
Social media users derided the poor quality of animation used in the video.
who's the kindergartener who drew this
— chie (@chieyori) May 31, 2017
Tragic graphics. Horrible message
— makaw (@sailorboi88) May 31, 2017
wala ba kayong pambayad ng mas magaling na animators
— jamie (@rVdikal) May 31, 2017
Wanted: Graphic Artist
Send your resumes to @PresidentialCom
Bring back the 'ganda' in 'propaganda'
— Mychael Miravite (@myke_thompson) May 31, 2017
Some Twitter users felt that their taxes were being squandered by the PCOO production of the video.
i pay taxes for this?!!! 😭
— jœy (@thejoeyboy) May 31, 2017
We want our taxes back!
— Grace Charm (@GraceCharm107) May 31, 2017
Nice to know my taxes go to fund trash propaganda pieces like this.
— 「Chiki」 (@chikinonymous) May 31, 2017
Others expressed concern at the contents of the video.
This is dangerous propaganda. This is highly misleading, illogical, fearmongering, and uninformative.
— Your Lawyer Says (@YourLawyerSays) May 31, 2017
ALSO ANG PANGIT PANGIT NG COPY NINYO PURO GRAMMATICAL ERROR
— Mme Press Secretary (@noelledeg) May 31, 2017
Netizens also pointed out that the “adversaries” in the video resembled government troops instead of terrorists.
Baket mukhang sundalo mga extremists? Ganyan lang ba kasimple ang animation nyo?
— Luigerl (@dquickwhitefox) May 31, 2017
yung gobyerno ba yan? pic.twitter.com/kwgfyhma8n
— mk (@earthtomikay) May 31, 2017
The extremists look like soldiers.
— JMCruz (@s0mnambul1st) May 31, 2017
Netizens were quick to create memes and parodies of the video, some of which ridiculed Communications Secretary Martin Andanar, who heads the PCOO.
hey @PresidentialCom, I noticed an error in your video. Fixed it for you. #DefendRepublic pic.twitter.com/I2k4WzviUn
— Anj (@anjpessumal) May 31, 2017
Fixed it. You’re welcome @PresidentialCom! #DefendRepublic pic.twitter.com/lhFTIMqW50
— The Corpus Juris ⚖️ (@thecorpusjuris) May 31, 2017
fixed it @PresidentialCom #DefendRepublic pic.twitter.com/ycO8j0KFqJ
— meg (@likelyerin) May 31, 2017
you vs. the girl he tells you not to worry about pic.twitter.com/W5XV7h2thC
— Jom Lorenzo (@JOMpingjacks) May 31, 2017
It is not yet known if the PCOO plans to release similarly themed content in the future.
