NBI monitors 20 vloggers for spreading fake news

The National Bureau of Investigation is keeping an eye on 20 vloggers accused of spreading fake news online, with two already facing arrest warrants.

According to Ivan Mayrina’s report on “24 Oras” on Monday, NBI Director Jaime Santiago confirmed the agency had a list of vloggers and their recent online posts. One vlogger on the list is based in the United States.

The NBI is assessing possible charges against the individuals.

“Papasok sa cyber libel, papasok sa inciting to sedition. Yung mga mamamayan natin, ginagawa nilang biro-biro yan no? Sinasabi nila, meron tayong freedom of speech, freedom of expression. Pero lagi po nating sinasabi, that is not absolute. Merong limitation yan. Pagka lumalampas ka na sa parameter ng batas, nakaka-commit ka na ng krimen, e kailangan masawata natin yan,” Santiago explained.

(They can be charged with cyber libel or inciting to sedition. Some people treat this lightly, saying they have freedom of speech or expression. But those freedoms are not absolute. If you exceed the boundaries of the law, commit a crime, we must act.)

Meanwhile, Malacañang is working with the NBI to combat the spread of fake news.

“This is very obvious that more fake news is lingering, maybe because of the present situation regarding the arrest of former President [Rodrigo] Duterte,” said Presidential Communications Office Undersecretary Claire Castro.

She cited former Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea’s claim that Duterte was missing from detention, which was later refuted by the ICC.

“Dating ES Medialdea, nakita po natin kung papaano po ba niya nabanggit na nawawala ang dating Pangulong Duterte, na iyon po ay pinasinungalingan mismo ng ICC,” said Castro.

(Former ES Medialdea claimed Duterte was missing, which the ICC itself denied. The public must evaluate such irresponsible statements to avoid confusion.)

Malacañang is coordinating with the National Telecommunications Commission and the Department of Information and Communications Technology to penalize fake news peddlers.

While President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. remains unfazed by criticisms, the Palace stressed that freedom of expression has limits.

“Kapag po nandoon na po iyong elemento ng inciting to sedition, which is of course without any tumultuous uprising but they are encouraging people to sow hatred for the government, for the President, then we have to step up,” Castro warned.

As for how the Palace would respond, Castro said: “By filing cases, complaints. But as of the moment, there is no indication on the part of the President that he will do that.”

A recent Social Weather Stations survey revealed that 62% of Filipinos believe fake news is a serious problem. The survey also found that many respondents struggle to distinguish fake news. — Vince Angelo Ferreras/DVM, GMA Integrated News