Digital command center launched to combat election fake news

In a decisive move to protect the 2025 elections from online disinformation and related offenses, the inter-agency ‘Task Force KKK (Katotohanan, Katapatan, Katarungan) sa Halalan’ unveiled its new threat monitoring center on Friday at the Cybercrime Investigation and Coordinating Center (CICC) in Quezon City.

Presidential Communications Office (PCO) Secretary Jay Ruiz said the facility was launched to help ensure a clean and credible electoral process.

“Elections are the bedrock of democracy. President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has issued a directive to make this election clean and fair. It aims to safeguard the integrity of the 2025 national and local elections,” Ruiz said.

He revealed that foreign state-sponsored entities may be attempting to sway the Philippine elections, adding, “Lalo tayong mag-ingat dahil eleksyon po ito. Ang pino-protektahan natin dito ay boto ng bawat Pilipino. Magkaisa po tayo, labanan natin ang fake news.”

The monitoring center brings together experts from various government agencies who will track and analyze cases of election-related disinformation, AI-generated deceptive content, and violations listed under Commission on Elections (Comelec) Resolution No. 1164.

Using advanced tools, the team can quickly verify flagged posts and determine whether content qualifies as disinformation. Vote-buying reports are addressed within an hour, while AI-generated fakes can be identified within minutes. Confirmed disinformation triggers takedown requests to social media platforms.

Task Force KKK has already formed alliances with major digital platforms including Meta, Google, TikTok, and X to expedite the removal of harmful content. In cases where false information has already circulated, the task force issues public clarifications to correct the record.

Comelec Commissioner Nelson Celis stressed the penalties for online election offenses and assured the public of their capability to trace digital sources.

“Ang online disinformation as an election offense ay may penalty of one to a maximum of six years imprisonment. Kaya kayong mga troll farms magtago-tago na kayo. Meron kaming tools para ma-trace ang origin ng mga posts na yan,” he said, noting that the effort began in 2023 under ‘Task Force Kontra Fake News.’

In a Palace briefing, PCO Undersecretary and Press Officer Claire Castro emphasized that the new facility demonstrates the government’s proactive stance in combating disinformation.

“Ito ay isang real time digital command post na handang tukuyin, pigilin at tapusin ang online misinformation and disinformation,” Castro said.

While the initiative is a major step forward, Ruiz lamented the absence of Philippine government regulation on digital platforms, which currently operate under their own guidelines.

“Walang regulation, walang code of ethics, kaya kita niyo naman, napaka-bilis kumalat ng fake news,” he said, warning of the dangers especially to young internet users.

Ruiz added that other nations have started labeling major disinformation sources as cyberterrorists—a direction the Philippines may also explore. He said tougher penalties and possible regulation of online platforms may soon be proposed.

“Sa aming palagay, palakasin ang cybercrime law. At kung ayaw ng self-regulation, dapat i-regulate na ng gobyerno ang cyber platforms,” he said.

Task Force KKK is spearheaded by the Comelec in partnership with the PCO, Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT), CICC, other state agencies, and private sector collaborators.