The Presidential Communications Office (PCO) expressed support on Thursday for the National Bureau of Investigation’s (NBI) plan to collaborate with Interpol to track down and bring home fake news peddlers residing overseas.
“Yes, it should have been done a long time ago,” PCO Undersecretary Claire Castro said in a briefing.
“The number of fake news vloggers is increasing, and this should have been started a long time ago, so thank you very much to the NBI,” she added.
The move is part of the government’s intensified efforts to combat disinformation and hold accountable those responsible for spreading false information online.
The NBI’s plan comes amid growing concerns over the influence of fake news on public opinion and its potential to destabilize institutions.
Castro acknowledged the challenge posed by malicious content creators operating from abroad and emphasized the importance of cross-border cooperation in addressing the issue.
“It is very important to have coordinated efforts so that we can stop those spreading false information,” she said.
NBI Director Jaime Santiago confirmed the reports that the agency would cooperate with Interpol to arrest those who are spreading fake news.
He reminded the public that it’s okay to share their comments as part of freedom of speech and expression.
However, he said that those who spread false news violate the country’s Revised Penal Code on unlawful use of publication, which he said some ‘vloggers’ violate.