AFP wants to improve service through social media

There’s no stopping the rise of social media in the Philippines and soldiers are also all over Facebook.

But this powerful tool has its advantages and disadvantages, and this is why the Armed Forces of the Philippines is holding its 3rd Social Media Summit on Friday at Camp Aguinaldo to discuss prevailing social media issues and tools to enhance its engagement with the public.

“[Social media] is a powerful platform…it can affect change, so why not learn the things that can make us master the power of social media so that we can improve public service,” said Ltc. Michael Aquino, commander of Media and Civil Affairs Group of the Civil Relations Service.

He said social media has been useful to them, especially in disseminating information during disasters and calamities.

“It also helps out to clarify misinformation being spread around,” he added.

In 2014, the Philippine Army came out with its own social media handbook, which sets the ground rules for the troops in using social media, whether with their office or unit account or their own private accounts.

But this has been exclusive to the Army and Aquino said they are also formulating an AFP-wide social media handbook.

“There have been efforts to come out with a protocol,” he said without giving more details.

This year’s theme, “Change. Move. Achieve: Moving Forward Through Social Media,” Aquino said that they will focus on matters that will enhance their efforts in public service.

INQUIRER.net editor in chief John Nery will discuss “Going Viral: Lessons for Creating Stories with Impact.”

Social media and countering violent extremism will be tackled by Captain Chistopher Hayes of the Military Information Support Team.

Other speakers are Jose Gabriel Lavina, social media director for the campaign of President Rodrigo Duterte, will discuss “Thunderbolt: Winning the Social Media Wars of the 2016 Presidential Election;” Ramon Isberto of PLDT-Smart Communications public affairs will discuss social media and public relations; Noel Jeffrey Gonzales, BPI brand manager will talk about the importance of big data and social media benchmarks and Carlo Ople of the Internet and Mobile Marketing Association of the Philippines will discuss bridging generation gaps through social media.

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AFP to hold 3rd social media summit Friday