FALSE: PNP chief told police or soldiers to defy Marcos

A Facebook post claiming that acting Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Police Lieutenant General Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. instructed police and military personnel to disobey President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. and called him a “thief of the country’s treasury” circulated online.

The PNP has since denied the allegation. Officials confirmed that the quote was fabricated and that the post was maliciously created to confuse the public and discredit the organization.

CLAIM: Nartatez called on police and soldiers to defy the president and accused him of corruption.

RATING: FALSE

CONCLUSION:

The claim has no factual basis. Furthermore, the PNP also confirmed that the viral post was not true, has already been taken down, and that the person responsible has already been identified by the authorities. Investigators are preparing a subpoena so the individual can formally explain their actions as no official record, transcript, or media footage supports the false quote attributed to Nartatez.

The facts:

• On October 8, 2025, PNP spokesperson Police Brigadier General Randulf Tuaño announced that the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group and the Anti-Cybercrime Group had tracked down the person behind the disinformation.
  • “Sa ngayon po, hinahanda na yung subpoena ng CIDG upang siya ay ipatawag at bigyan ng pagkakataon upang magpaliwanag,” Tuaño said.
• The PNP described the post as “fake and malicious,” saying it was intended to spread confusion and undermine public trust in the police force. 
• Nartatez also denied the circulating quote, stating that there were no discussions within the police about withdrawing support from the President. He added that there was no reason to do so, emphasizing that Marcos was democratically elected in 2022.
• The PNP also appealed to the public to be cautious and verify information before sharing political content online.
  • “[The PNP will continue to] serve the Filipino people with honor, dedication, and accountability, while standing firm against attempts to misinform and destabilize the credibility of our law enforcement institutions,” PNP’s statement read.

The bottomline:

The viral post quoting Nartatez wasn’t a leak or a protest, but a disinformation. The PNP has already called out the claim, tracked the person behind it, and is now preparing legal steps. There’s also nothing to prove that the acting PNP chief ever urged anyone to disobey the president.

Disinformation feeds on outrage and haste. Before sharing political content online, pause, verify, and question the source. Truth may take time to reach people, but it remains the only thing that endures.