A HOUSE leader on Tuesday warned against the dangerous potential of deepfake technology, pointing out its capacity to be used as a tool for sabotage against President Ferdinand “Bongbong” R. Marcos Jr. and his administration’s foreign policy efforts.
“It just shows how desperate the opposition is against our president, President Bongbong Marcos, because he is doing a spectacular job in managing our foreign policy to the point that they try to sabotage him and that’s why I feel this should not be taken lightly,” Lanao del Norte 1st District Rep. Mohamad Khalid Dimaporo told a press conference.
Dimaporo, chairman of the House Committee on Muslim Affairs, called on the National Security Council and all other concerned agencies to “take this very seriously because this is sabotage on our President’s foreign policy.”
He was referring to the emergence of an audio deepfake of President Marcos where he supposedly ordered the Armed Forces to intervene if China poses a threat to the Philippines amid the growing tension in the West Philippine Sea.
Given the seriousness of the issue, Dimaporo urged for legislative action, suggesting the possibility of amending laws to classify such behavior as a form of terrorism.
He indicated his intent to seek guidance from Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez in addressing the matter within the halls of Congress.
“If there’s a need to amend our laws and declare this type of behavior as a form of terrorism, well then we will refer to our leader here in Congress, our Speaker Martin Romualdez,” he said.
House Assistant Majority Leader and Lanao del Sur Rep. Zia Alonto Adiong said the recent attacks on the President’s foreign policy are not only desperate but also indicative of efforts to spread disinformation and divert attention from important issues.
Adiong noted the importance of the President’s foreign policy choices, which not only reinforce partnerships with enduring allies but also symbolize the administration’s commitment to addressing genuine concerns.
He also underscored the importance of standing by the President’s decisions, emphasizing their legitimacy and relevance to national interests.
Adiong criticized those behind the attacks for their disregard for truth and their willingness to manipulate narratives for their own agenda.
“Iyong ganitong klaseng mga tao,
not only sabotaging the President but it disrespects each and every individual Filipino. Wala silang pakialam sa inyo, ang gusto lang nila is masabi kung ano iyong naratipika nila na mali,” he stressed.
Deputy Majority Leader and PBA Party-list Rep. Margarita “Atty. Migs” Nograles said the recent deepfake incident targeting the President underscores the need for vigilance and awareness in the face of emerging cyber threats.
“It is alarming na ganito ‘yung nangyari and sa Presidente pa ginawa and it is evidently political thing. We don’t think this is going to be the first or the last. Not just the President. We don’t know who will be next,” Nograles, a lawyer, said.
Nograles highlighted the importance of remaining vigilant and informed about the growing threat to cybersecurity.
“Let’s be vigilant and be informed that there will be instances, there’s an emerging threat to cybersecurity internationally with the government and even locally,” she stated. “Huwag tayo maniwala agad-agad sa mga nakikita natin, alamin natin ‘yung totoo.”
1-RIDER Party-list Rep. Rodge Gutierrez warned that the deepfake featuring the President poses significant risks to national security.
“We can assume siguro that this is politics, fine, granted. Pero the politics that they are now playing is really threading a fine line with national security concerns,” Gutierrez said.
He continued, “Kasi po ‘yung politics, okay understood, gagawa tayo ng fake news to try to sway votes. But we have to understand someone is listening across the sea —ang ating neighbor, China, which might take seriously na itong deepfake ay talagang totoo and verified.”
“This is a very dangerous prospect. So, I think we really have to take this seriously. This is no longer just politics…This is a new front. This is a new low,” Gutierrez, also a lawyer, said.
Davao Oriental 2nd District Rep. Cheeno Miguel Almario expressed concern over the President’s deepfake but assured the public that measures are being taken to address the issue.
“This particular deepfake is concerning, but again we’re doing all that we can. Our agencies are doing all that they can, and at the same time, the House will also conduct an inquiry into this matter,” Almario stated.
Almario emphasized the importance of understanding the depth of the threat posed by deepfake technology to formulate effective countermeasures.
