THE House of Representatives has set its sights on online trolls and vloggers who allegedly spread fake news and baseless accusations, with a resolution passed Wednesday night calling for an investigation.
House Resolution (HR) 2147 mandates three committees – Public Order and Safety, Information and Communication Technology, and Public Information – to investigate the individuals behind a wave of malicious posts on social media.
The investigation aims to develop legislation imposing stricter penalties on trolls and vloggers, who currently operate under the guise of “freedom of speech.”
The move comes after a series of investigations by Congress into various issues, including Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs), illegal drugs, and extrajudicial killings (EJKs), which have been met with relentless attacks from trolls and vloggers.
One notable example is the case of Surigao del Norte Representative Robert Ace Barbers, chair of the Quad Committee, who was accused of drug involvement, along with his brother, Surigao del Norte Governor Lyndon Barbers. These accusations, spread by a troll and amplified by vloggers, led to Barbers delivering a privilege speech in Congress, denouncing the attacks and calling for accountability.
The investigation aims to address the issue of trolls and vloggers defending Chinese drug lords connected to the POGO industry, allegedly in exchange for financial gain. Congress members are also concerned about the defense of China’s actions in the West Philippine Sea (WPS), which they believe is being orchestrated by trolls and vloggers in exchange for illegal drugs and POGO money.
The investigation is expected to focus on identifying the individuals behind these online campaigns and determining the extent of their influence and potential connections to criminal activities.
