The Philippine government is drawing a firm line against the spread of disinformation online, especially fake news content targeting public figures and institutions, according to the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI).
In a radio interview on dzBB Wednesday, NBI Director Jaime Santiago underscored that the agency is taking fake news seriously and is now actively filing cases against vloggers and bloggers, including Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs), involved in the dissemination of misleading content.
“You can make an opinion — that is our right. But when you twist the context, that’s where we draw the line,” Santiago stressed.
On Tuesday, the NBI filed complaints against four vloggers with the Department of Justice (DOJ) for allegedly editing and manipulating video clips of public officials, including NBI Director Santiago himself.
Senior Agent Raymond Macorol of the NBI’s Criminal Intelligence Division revealed that one of the manipulated videos falsely claimed Santiago had threatened overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) with arrest.
Santiago refuted claims made by certain vloggers accusing the NBI of using scare tactics against OFWs. “They twisted it to say that the NBI is threatening OFWs. That’s not true. There is no political agenda here. No one ordered us. The problem is, fake news has become rampant,” he said.
He confirmed that four vloggers — all OFWs — have already been charged. “We checked their local addresses; some are from Davao, some from Cebu. But immigration records confirm they are currently abroad, working various jobs,” Santiago revealed.
To avoid disrupting minor cases or overburdening international agencies, Santiago said the NBI is coordinating with the Bureau of Immigration instead of Interpol. “They have schedules for their return. We’ll just wait for them at the airport,” he said.
Santiago also mentioned upcoming legal action against vloggers who allegedly spread false information involving Senator Bato Dela Rosa. “We mean business. This isn’t limited to one [political group or affiliation] — it applies to everyone,” he clarified.
The NBI also recently filed a case against Congressman Argel Cabatbat of Nueva Ecija after reports emerged linking a farmer’s suicide to palay prices. “The family clarified that it was due to a personal issue, not the price of rice. So, we filed a case,” Santiago said.