Philippine National Police chief Gen. Rommel Francisco Marbil. — Photo by Arnel Tacson/ INQUIRER.net
MANILA, Philippines — Philippine National Police (PNP) Chief Gen. Rommel Marbil has “declared war” against lies.
He said this at a PNP forum in Camp Crame, Quezon City on Friday that discussed a campaign the police are leading against the spread of wrong information in public and in social media.
In the event, PNP’s Joint Anti-Fake News Action Committee (JAFNAC) was launched.
“If we allow this (disinformation) to persist, we will wake up to a nation where lies travel faster than facts, where distrust overtakes unity, and where good is thrown in noise,” Marbil said.
“That is why today, we declare war, not against people, but against lies,” he announced.
“This is a war we must fight and win not with weapons but with vigilance, individual responsibility and collective will because in defending truth, we defend what is right,” the PNP chief said.
“In protecting truth, we protect our people,” he stressed.
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PNP deputy chief for operations Lt. Gen. Robert Rodriguez was tasked with leading the task force.
The following agencies are included in the team:
- Department of the Interior and Local Government
- Armed Forces of the Philippines
- National Bureau of Investigation
- Presidential Communications Office
- Philippine Information Agency
- Department of Information and Communications Technology
- National Youth Commission
- Cybercrime Investigation and Coordinating Center
- PNP Press Corps
“In today’s digital world, fake news is no longer a nuisance. It has become a weapon used to create division,” said Rodriguez.
“It prompts conflict, hate speech and even violence, which undermines peaceful political discussion,” he noted.
“With the upcoming election, it can be used as a powerful tool for character assassination, spreading lies about candidates to destroy reputations or sway public opinion unfairly,” he added.