Disinformation in the Philippines: Weaponization of cyberspace and its impact to our country’s political health
By: Caev Solas
Developing countries like the Philippines have been more vulnerable to disinformation due to its culture, lack of quality education, and inaccessibility to basic social utilities[1]. This became one of the countries’ problems before and during the 2022 Elections. Viewed as “Patient Zero” by researchers and political scientists, this kind of attack is designed and deliberately manufactured, distorting pieces of information [2].
Fake news is a socially engineered disinformation that targets the masses and those who protect them, to consciously stop them from rising against oppressive political power. It is used as an apparatus to distort reality and to establish lies about our history, especially during martial law — from our economic situation to its victims. They utilize pieces of information to systematically and deliberately exploit media and social media.
Fake news are designed and engineered to manipulate and confuse the people, as well as to influence their ideas, beliefs and decisions. Manufactured through suspicious websites backed by big troll farms and political influencers, disinformation has become a business in the Philippines.
People in the Philippines spend more time using the internet per day even though the country’s internet is one of the most expensive and slowest compared with other countries within Southeast Asia [3]. Social media platforms like Facebook are being used by disinformation peddlers and big troll farms.
While they are embedded in their timeline and algorithm, fake news has become more available to the people through search engine websites such as Google, which is mainly used as a tool for fact checking and research. Aside from this, auditory and visual platforms like Youtube and Tiktok are also being exploited. These big tech companies benefit from the information crisis in the Philippines.
During the 2016 elections, the pro-Duterte propaganda spread fake endorsement of known personalities and progressive politicians, which he benefited from during his presidential campaign [4].
In six months, former Chairperson of Commission on Human Rights and Duterte’s critique against Tokhang and his policies, Sen. Leila de Lima was tagged as one of the country’s drug lord cuddler and syndicates’ protector. Ostracized by the public, she was systematically targeted by fake news peddlers to silence her and to justify her unjust detention. Communication Assistant Secretary Mocha Uson, a pro-Duterte official, was accused of spreading fake news against the Senator via a shared post [5].
Activist-Politician Cong. Sarah Jane Elago of Kabataan Partlylist along with other progressive groups and individuals are also being targeted by these attacks, usually in the form of red tagging. As an individual, Cong. Elago receives different threats aside from the continuous red tagging [6] [7] [8].
Aside from these individuals, the Philippine’s history is also at risk of revisionism. Spreading false information regarding the martial law, they use this not just to distort and revise the history but to justify his reason for winning the elections. Perpetuated by influencers, known personalities and government officials, they even exploit different social media platforms such as Facebook, Youtube, Twitter and Tiktok to spread fake news and rely on falsehood to benefit their electoral aspirations [9] [10].
In addition to that, the opposition Presidential bet Vice Pres. Leni Robredo is the biggest victim of fake news and disinformation. According to Tsek.ph, studies show that Robredo has become the favorite target of erroneous claims containing negative messaging. Also, she and her family receive fake news and threats to distract their supporters. Vice President Robredo was also bombarded by misleading information regarding a cheating allegation during the 2016 elections against the Vice presidential candidate Bong Bong Marcos, Jr. [11] [12].
Taking advantage of cyberspace and the age of information, this kind of well-fabricated lies and distortion of reality victimizes the masses and takes advantage of their vulnerabilities. The sown confusion and influence consequently stops them from challenging the political power that benefits from the design and engineer of this scheme.
More and more Filipinos are becoming aware of this inhumane tactics and its effect on society, especially during elections. Youth movements such as Kabataan Tayo Ang Pagasa!, Youth Vote for Leni, along with other formations like Kontra Daya and progressive institutions and individuals, call for genuine and clean elections, and fight to end disinformation in the Philippines.
Be part of the fight for a clean and honest 2022 elections. If you witness any electoral anomalies, you may report them here:
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