PCO slams Marcos 'deepfake' audio

The Presidential Communications Office (PCO) disowned a manipulated video circulating online featuring an audio of President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. supposedly instructing the military to act against a foreign country.

In a statement issued Tuesday, the PCO clarified the President has “no such directive” and the audio “deepfake” was created using generative artificial intelligence (AI).

Deepfakes are an advanced form of digital content manipulation through the use of generative AI, the agency added.

“We ask everyone to be proactive in exposing and fighting against misinformation, disinformation, and malinformation. Let us remain and be more mindful and responsible of the content we choose to share in our shared digital spaces,” said the PCO.

“Let us all be more vigilant against such manipulated digital content that are deployed by actors to propagate malicious content online and advance a malign influence agenda,” it said.

The PCO said it is working on measures to address the continuous proliferation of fake news, misinformation, disinformation and malinformation through its media literacy programs.

It is likewise coordinating with the  Department of Information and Communications Technology, the National Security Council, the National Cybersecurity Inter-Agency Committee, and other stakeholders to mitigate the malicious use of video and audio deepfakes.—RF, GMA Integrated News