The Cybercrime Investigation and Coordinating Center issued a warning on Tuesday about foreign‑backed troll farms that use social media pages to spread misinformation on key national issues, especially the West Philippine Sea dispute.
Executive Director Renato Paraiso said the agency is actively detecting and mapping the networks that facilitate the spread of false information.
Investigations reveal that the perpetrators and financiers behind these platforms are typically from countries with vested interests in Philippine politics.
These actors aim to shape public perception on topics such as the West Philippine Sea, turning local political debates into broader geopolitical narratives.
Paraiso expressed concern that many Filipinos unknowingly amplify these narratives because they are amplified by social media algorithms.
He warned that the number of such pages is likely to grow as the 2028 presidential election approaches, potentially influencing voters.
To counter these threats, the director supports the Digital Media Anti‑False Information Act, which seeks to hold accountable those who finance, direct, or materially assist organized disinformation campaigns that threaten public safety or national security.
The proposed legislation also calls for jurisdiction over social media and messaging platforms, a measure deemed essential by the director.
The bill reached its final reading in the House of Representatives in June and is now a priority for legislative‑executive development efforts.
