MANILA, PHILIPPINES — The government is stepping up efforts to fight misinformation by using new technology and partnerships. Recently, a key agreement was signed to enhance the battle against fake news and deepfakes, a growing concern especially with the upcoming elections.
According to reports from local sources, the Cybercrime Investigation Coordinating Center (CICC) and the Presidential Communications Office (PCO) formalized a memorandum of agreement. This collaboration aims to strengthen the fight against deceptive online content and scams.
National Anti-Scam Hotline and Reporting Tools
The agreement officially recognizes the Inter-Agency Response Center (I-ARC) Hotline 1326 as the national anti-scam hotline. This hotline will serve as the main channel for reporting fraud and scam incidents nationwide. Additionally, the partnership promotes the use of the eGovPH app’s e-Report function, which allows citizens to report scams conveniently through their mobile devices.
During a press conference, a senior official from the Presidential Communications Office emphasized the importance of educating the public. “Sa ganitong paraan ay matutulungan ang mga Pilipino na maiwasan ma-scam at malabanan ang paglipana ng fake news,” she said, highlighting the goal of preventing scams and reducing the spread of false information among Filipinos.
Deploying Advanced AI Tools to Detect Deepfakes
The CICC is adopting a new AI-based application designed to detect deepfake videos and images rapidly. Recent weeks have seen about 200 reports of deepfake cases, signaling the urgency for effective detection tools.
The executive director of CICC revealed that approximately ₱2 million has been allocated to acquire this regionalized software developed abroad. “Ito ho ay isang tool na within 30 seconds puwede ninyo na ma-identify ang deepfake content,” he explained, underscoring the tool’s ability to identify manipulated content within half a minute.
The tool is currently undergoing accreditation, and training sessions will be conducted to ensure proper use among staff. This measure aims to bolster the government’s capacity to swiftly spot and address misinformation.
Strengthening Collaboration with Civil Society
Beyond technology, the government plans to engage civil society organizations that focus on media literacy, fact-checking, and combating disinformation. “We would also want to have the support of the civil society initiatives by empowering civil society organizations working on media literacy, fact-checking, and combating disinformation,” a senior official added.
Moreover, the PCO will lead the National Deepfake Task Force, which will coordinate efforts across agencies to intensify the fight against the spread of false information and scams.
These coordinated efforts demonstrate the government’s commitment to protect Filipinos from the harms of fake news and fraudulent schemes, especially as the country approaches the 2025 elections.
For more news and updates on fake news and deepfakes, visit Filipinokami.com.