The Presidential Communications Operations Office has taken down a propaganda video aimed at shoring up support for martial law as a means to combat “extremism.”

The video, which is 36 seconds in length, shows a distressed boy who fends off black silhouettes labelled as “extremists” using a shield with the words “martial law” emblazoned on its surface.

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Ominous background music plays while a voice narrates: “In the free society, there are groups who don’t want to give independence. They are adamant on detaining peaceful spirits. They are distressing feelings with fears. Let us not allow them to terrify us. We will all fight in unity. Martial law should be the rule of the land. Martial law. Now.”

The video was deleted on the PCOO’s various social media accounts on Wednesday night.

Social media users derided the poor quality of animation used in the video.

who's the kindergartener who drew this — chie (@chieyori) May 31, 2017

Tragic graphics. Horrible message — makaw (@sailorboi88) May 31, 2017 ADVERTISEMENT

wala ba kayong pambayad ng mas magaling na animators — jamie (@rVdikal) May 31, 2017

Wanted: Graphic Artist Send your resumes to @PresidentialCom Bring back the 'ganda' in 'propaganda' — Mychael Miravite (@myke_thompson) May 31, 2017 ADVERTISEMENT

Some Twitter users felt that their taxes were being squandered by the PCOO production of the video.

i pay taxes for this?!!! 😭 — jœy (@thejoeyboy) May 31, 2017

We want our taxes back! — Grace Charm (@GraceCharm107) May 31, 2017

Nice to know my taxes go to fund trash propaganda pieces like this. — 「Chiki」 (@chikinonymous) May 31, 2017

Others expressed concern at the contents of the video.

This is dangerous propaganda. This is highly misleading, illogical, fearmongering, and uninformative. — Your Lawyer Says (@YourLawyerSays) May 31, 2017

ALSO ANG PANGIT PANGIT NG COPY NINYO PURO GRAMMATICAL ERROR — Mme Press Secretary (@noelledeg) May 31, 2017

Netizens also pointed out that the “adversaries” in the video resembled government troops instead of terrorists.

Baket mukhang sundalo mga extremists? Ganyan lang ba kasimple ang animation nyo? — Luigerl (@dquickwhitefox) May 31, 2017

The extremists look like soldiers. — JMCruz (@s0mnambul1st) May 31, 2017

Netizens were quick to create memes and parodies of the video, some of which ridiculed Communications Secretary Martin Andanar, who heads the PCOO.

hey @PresidentialCom, I noticed an error in your video. Fixed it for you. #DefendRepublic pic.twitter.com/I2k4WzviUn — Anj (@anjpessumal) May 31, 2017

you vs. the girl he tells you not to worry about pic.twitter.com/W5XV7h2thC — Jom Lorenzo (@JOMpingjacks) May 31, 2017

It is not yet known if the PCOO plans to release similarly themed content in the future.

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