VISCOM Takes Helm in Championing WPS Advocacy, Battling Disinformation in the Visayas Region

February 21, 2025 – Camp Lapu-Lapu, Apas, Cebu City – The Office of the Deputy Chief of Staff for Civil-Military Operations, J7, successfully cascaded the Communication Plan “MULAT” to the Visayas Command (VISCOM) as part of the organization’s broader campaign to assert Philippine Narratives amidst the issues in the West Philippine Sea.

COL JO-AR HERRERA PA (MNSA), the pioneer of the Campaign, stated: The OJ7 launched the ComPlan MULAT to render measurable change, and we are cascading this to you (Unified Commands) to protect the cognitive domain of all AFP troops, empower them to battle disinformation, engage key stakeholders and create localized programs in support of the Government’s efforts for the West Philippine Sea.”  

Lt. Col. LEO M MIRADOR PA presented the AFP Communication Plan ‘MULAT,’ while Mr. Franz Ragpa CivHR, Researcher, OJ7, presented the Instructional Package to guide VISCOM personnel in MULAT-related information dissemination.

The second part of the event featured a Strategic Communications (StratCom) workshop which aimed to equip planners and operators in developing objectives, identify audiences, as well as craft proposed projects, all anchored on the said ComPlan.

COL JONES BRISAL OTIDA MNSA (INF), Chief of Unified Command Staff, VISCOM, emphasized that “In order to maintain the Trust Rating for AFP in the West Philippine Sea, we need to firmly internalize “MULAT”, as it serves as a roadmap in ensuring that our messages are coherent; it is the tool, the basis, and the guide. We must remember that we are not just messengers, we are storytellers. We have the power to paint narratives that inspire, because the fight for the WPS is not only the AFP’s fight, it is a fight for all Filipino.”

Colonel Herrera concluded by urging participants to communicate consistently, both online and offline, to gain an information advantage. He emphasized that information is power, and greater knowledge leads to truth— since "MULAT" is informational, it embodies power, wisdom, and the truth.