Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin on Thursday raised serious concerns over the growing problem of fake news, saying its impact is being felt worldwide.
“You know, our situation now is very difficult. Fake news has such a severe effect—it’s not just the Philippines, it’s the entire world that is suffering from the deceit brought about by fake news. It’s really devastating,” Bersamin said.
Bersamin called for stronger measures against misinformation and disinformation, saying those responsible should be held accountable.
“They should really be prosecuted,” he stressed.
The Palace official also emphasized that operational matters should be left to the proper authorities, particularly the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI).
“That’s operational, so I’m not free to disclose even if I knew,” Bersamin said when asked about a specific course of action.
“We leave that to the people who are on the operating line. Because if we make announcements, then there is a variance from them. It’s not easy to explain. We might be contradicting each other,” he added.
Bersamin asserted that the NBI would be responsible for implementing any necessary actions.
NBI director Jaime Santiago confirmed earlier that the agency is coordinating with the International Police (Interpol) to identify and apprehend individuals responsible for spreading fake news.
He assured the public that freedom of speech and expression remain protected, but warned that those who deliberately spread false information could face legal consequences.
Santiago cited the Revised Penal Code which penalizes the unlawful use of publication, noting that some online content creators, including vloggers, have been found violating these laws.