The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) has refuted claims that it issued a directive limiting the freedom of expression of civilians, including the families of military personnel, on social media.

In a report by RH Edniel Parrosa, it was mentioned that this contradicts the alleged memo circulating within the Philippine Army, which supposedly contains an order from AFP Chief of Staff Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr. regarding the online activities of military "dependents."

“The recent visits of the AFP Chief of Staff to various AFP units were focused on reinforcing the importance of professionalism, discipline, and mission focus among our personnel,” the AFP said in their statement.

“These internal engagements are vital for strengthening the AFP’s core values and operational effectiveness,” the force added.

Moreover, the AFP stated that it respects the right to freedom of expression for all citizens, while also promoting responsible online behavior and the careful assessment of information to combat the spread of disinformation.

Previously, an unverified internal memo gained traction after being shared on Facebook by former National Intelligence Coordinating Agency (NICA) Chief, Alex Paul Monteagudo.

In a separate statement, Army spokesperson Col. Louie Dema-ala said that military personnel who wish to express political opinions should resign from their positions.