By Liezelle Soriano

MANILA — The Department of National Defense (DND) on Monday (22 July 2024) said that the video circulating online showing a person who looks like President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. sniffing a white powder substance is fake.

“The fake video being circulated emanating from a MAISUG gathering in Los Angeles is again a maliciously crude attempt to destabilize the administration of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.,” the DND said in an official statement on Monday (22 July 2024).

The video was released on the day of the third State of the Nation Address (SONA) of President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.

“Even the release of the contrived video in the USA is a cowardly attempt to escape Philippine criminal jurisdiction.”

The DND also urged the proper United States authorities to investigate and “bring to justice the perpetrators of this disgusting act.”

Meanwhile, Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin believes that the video was released to “damage” the name of the President.

“Koreano ‘yun, hindi Filipino,” Bersamin said, referring to the man in the video.

When asked why it was released in time of Marcos’ SONA, Bersamin simply said: “paninira.”

(el Amigo/mnm)