The Philippine National Police (PNP) has committed to using its full resources in supporting the government’s renewed campaign against misinformation and proliferation of fake news, particularly on social media platforms.
PNP chief Gen. Jose Melencio C. Nartatez, Jr. said they already started streamlining its operations to support the recent alliance between the Presidential Communications Office (PCO) and various newspaper outlets to fight the proliferation of false information.
“Spreading fake news and wrong and malicious information is not only a public safety concern, but could also involve national security matters. We will continue to do our part in ensuring the protection of the public in cyberspace,” said Nartatez.
The Manila Bulletin joined other publications in signing the Memorandum of Agreement (MOU) that aims to ensure the integrity of news and information and protect the public from "fake news," misinformation, and disinformation on digital and social media.
Under the MOU, a framework for cooperation between the PCO and the country's major daily newspapers— The Manila Bulletin, Philippine Daily Inquirer, The Manila Times, The Philippine Star, Business Mirror, Business World, Daily Tribune, Malaya Business Insight, and Manila Standard —will be established to protect the public from harms of fake news, "with special emphasis on safeguarding vulnerable population in times of crisis, emergencies, or disasters.
The parties committed to uphold accurate, verified, and responsible reporting while maintaining full respect for press freedom and editorial independence.
Among the agreement’s key objectives are enhancing the dissemination of verified information, strengthening public trust in credible media institutions, promoting media and information literacy, and enabling coordinated and rapid responses to disinformation during crises, emergencies, and disasters.
On the part of the PNP, Nartatez said it will utilize its social media platforms to debunk fake news and misinformation drives.
He said police forces down to municipal level are also tasked to coordinate closely with community leaders to stop the spread of viral hoaxes.
Nartatez said the PNP is ready to provide the technical and enforcement backbone for this partnership, “We are intensifying our 24/7 cyber patrolling and we are prepared to link our monitoring systems with the Anti-Fake News Desk of the Presidential Communications Office for faster response.”
Nartatez acknowledged the role of the media in the campaign against misinformation, noting that members of the press often received first information about certain incidents that need verification.