DEPUTY Speaker Janette L. Garin of Iloilo on Monday warned of what she described as a “coordinated, systematic, well-funded” online campaign targeting prosecutors, spokespersons and other figures involved in the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Z. Duterte.
“There’s really a coordinated, systematic, well-funded targeting, not only the prosecutors, including the spokesperson, and other figures who are behind the campaign for accountability and a clean governance under the current administration,” Garin said in a press briefing.
Garin made the statement when asked about the claim of Deputy Speaker Francisco Paolo Ortega V that an estimated P5 million was spent on an online campaign using misleading photos and videos to exaggerate the extent of flooding in his province of La Union.
Ortega, who endorsed one of the impeachment complaints filed against Duterte in the House, had linked the alleged campaign to a broader pattern of online attacks against figures involved in the impeachment proceedings.
Garin said she had observed a similar pattern, particularly against those actively involved in the impeachment trial and programs of the Marcos administration.
“Nakikita naman natin na kung sino ‘yung active, hindi lamang doon sa impeachment, kundi doon sa mga programa ng administrasyon, ay nagkakaroon ng bashing,” she said.
More alarming than the online attacks, Garin said, was the spread of false or misleading information.
“At hindi lang ‘yung bashing, ang mas nakakatakot ay ‘yung fake news,” she said.
Garin cited social media posts purportedly showing current flooding in the Philippines but which used old photographs or images taken in other countries.
“‘Yung mga ina-attach na kunwari bumaha o ganito na parang hirap na hirap ‘yung mga tao at lumalangoy, ‘yung iba are pictures from years, years ago. Ang iba naman ay hindi naman sa Pilipinas,” she said.
While acknowledging that several parts of the country are experiencing serious flooding, Garin warned that misleading images could distort the situation on the ground and confuse the public.
She urged Filipinos to be vigilant against disinformation, including false medical information circulating during disasters.
“Huwag magpadala sa pekeng balita. Huwag rin magpadala sa mga pekeng medical information and what we call infodemics,” Garin said.
She also warned against using disinformation to distract the public from issues of accountability.
“Napakalaking insulto na gagamitin natin ang fake social media posting, fake information, fake news, not because we want to help the country, but just because you want to put down an administration that is delivering for its people,” she said.
metrosundaily
