NBI partners with social media vs fake news

The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) is collaborating with social media platforms to track down vloggers and influencers who spread false information online.

In a radio interview with NBI Director Jaime Santiago on Saturday, he confirmed that the agency is working alongside Facebook and TikTok to curb the spread of disinformation, especially by those posing as legitimate media practitioners. They are also focusing on removing multiple fake accounts operated by a single individual.

“We had a vlogger’s post and account taken down, but we later discovered they had several other accounts. So now, we are working to remove them one by one from Facebook,” Santiago explained, giving an example. He also mentioned that the NBI is collaborating closely with the Department of Information and Communications Technology and the National Privacy Commission.

Santiago further noted that they have already identified around 20 vloggers with large followings and are currently preserving their posts for investigation.

While acknowledging the importance of free speech and press freedom, he stressed the need to balance these rights with the responsibility to avoid the deliberate spread of false information.

“If what you are saying is fake news, it falls under our laws. If you are offering commentary on current events, we assess and balance it, because citizens and journalists have the right to comment on what is happening. However, it should not lead to libel or distort the context of the report,” Santiago added.

The spread of fake news on social media has surged following the International Criminal Court’s arrest of former President Rodrigo Duterte on 11 March. On Friday, a group of social media personalities was summoned by the House tri-committee due to their controversial online posts.

Similarly, the NBI recently arrested a female vlogger on Thursday for allegedly spreading fake news. Santiago explained that she was a small business owner who turned to content creation to supplement her income.

Vlogger arrested

Meanwhile, Santiago issued a warning to those spreading fake news after the arrest of vlogger Wendelyn Magalso, who altered a statement by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to falsely suggest he supported drug legalization. The altered post was shared on Facebook.

Santiago emphasized that vloggers manipulating posts will be targeted, with Facebook and TikTok cooperating in removing such content. He added that the NBI is closely monitoring vloggers spreading fake news, in coordination with the Department of Information and Communications Technology and National Telecommunications Commission.

Magalso, a sari-sari store owner and part-time vlogger, admitted to earning money from spreading fake news and pleaded for forgiveness.

Santiago urged the public to fact-check information and reminded that spreading false news is a criminal offense, subject to penalties under the Revised Penal Code and the Cybercrime Prevention Act.

Magalso faces charges that could result in up to six years in prison and a fine of up to P200,000.