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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider PNP backs move for stricter regulations as fake news, disinformation 'spiral out of control' on social media

PNP backs move for stricter regulations as fake news, disinformation 'spiral out of control' on social media

Published Apr 12, 2026 10:52 pm
From the point of view of the law enforcement agency at cybercrime frontline, requiring social media firms to implement stricter regulations to shield their platform from fake news and disinformation is a welcome development.
And that’s what officials of the Philippine National Police (PNP) felt when the national government wrote Meta Platforms Inc. the parent company of Facebook, to implement tighter rules and regulations that will address fake news and other information that threaten peace and social order.
PNP chief Gen. Jose Melencio C. Nartatez, Jr. said that while there are existing rules and regulations in Facebook and other platforms, these measures appear to be overwhelmed by the volume of fake information on a daily basis.
Citing the PNP’s own experience in handling cybercrime cases, he said there are content creators who are deliberately fabricating and spreading wrong and malicious information under the guise of legitimate news.
When confronted, the oft-repeated freedom of expression is usually used as defense.
“There is no absolute freedom of expression. It always comes with a responsibility anchored on the basic rule that one must not step on the rights of others. And once this responsibility is ignored, the rule of law must be observed,” said Nartatez.
“The intervention of social media companies through tighter monitoring and stricter regulations is one big step to effectively address this problem,” he added.
The Presidential Communications Office (PCO) and the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) earlier urged Meta to address the prevailing problem of its Facebook platform being used as a platform to sow disinformation.
The two agencies gave Meta 48 hours to confirm the letter within 48 hours and seven days to implement detailed measures.
On the part of the PNP, Nartatez said there were cases in the past that wrong information and fake news resulted in the disturbance of peace and order, and even utilized to stir public anger.
The PNP is no stranger to this kind of problem.
During the Covid-19 pandemic, social media platforms were tapped to sow fake news that angered the public and caused panic and alarm. Disinformation to misled the people on flood control was also done at the height of the protest action last year.
Fake news and disinformation are also monitored to be at their peak during election period.
And with the recent political events in the country, Facebook is also seen as the main platform in spreading false information about the health condition—and the existence of President Marcos.
Nartatez, however, said the PNP will continue with its mandate of monitoring and conducting police action to make the cyberspace safe to all the netizens, particularly the social media platforms.

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PNP fake news disinformation PCO DICT Facebook Meta
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