Chamber of Deputies. CONSULTANT FILE
MANILA, Philippines – Some leaders of the House of Representatives have urged concerned agencies to conduct an investigation into the fake viral video of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. allegedly commanding the Philippine Armed Forces to take action against a foreign country.
In a statement on Sunday, Pampanga 3rd District Senior Vice President and Rep. Aurelio “Dong” Gonzales Jr. said the Department of Information and Communications Technology and its Cybercrime Investigation and Coordination Center should conduct a investigation.
“This matter involves national security and the malicious dissemination of fabricated information,” Gonzales said.
“We must not allow this to happen again. We must not tolerate criminally minded people wreaking havoc on our national security and providing false information to our people,” she added.
Gonzales also said the people behind the viral video should be tracked down and prosecuted.
Vice President and Quezon Rep. David “Jayjay” Suarez echoed Gonzales’ call, saying agencies investigating the viral deepfake video should submit their “periodic report” to the lower house, indicating their progress.
He added that the AFP should not “listen to imposters and fabricators” or Marcos’ supposed directive.
“It shouldn’t be difficult for them to identify the origin of the deepfake and those behind it. I suspect this fake material originates somewhere in the south of the country,” he said.
“I trust they will heed instructions issued only through official lines of communication and the chain of command. I believe in the professionalism and patriotism of our soldiers”, highlighted the legislator.
On April 27, the Philippine National Police (PNP) said it had already identified the “possible source” of the video, which emerged after its Anti-Cybercrime Group (ACG) launched an investigation to determine the identity of the people behind behind the case. .
The PNP said the ACG had already coordinated the matter with the Department of Information and Communications Technology.
Unable to save your signature. Please try again.
Your subscription was successful.
Likewise, he said the culprits may face charges for violating Article 154 or the Illegal Use of Publication Means and Unlawful Statements of the Revised Penal Code in connection with Section 6 of Republic Act 10175 or the Cybercrime Prevention Act 2012.
