The House prosecution team has cautioned the public against online disinformation surrounding the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte, following military disclosures that foreign influence campaigns are exploiting domestic political controversies.
The warning comes after Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) officials revealed that foreign malign campaigns—which previously focused on maritime issues in the West Philippine Sea—are now leveraging internal disputes, including flood control issues and the ongoing impeachment proceedings.
Former Surigao del Norte 2nd District Representative Robert Ace Barbers, serving as an adviser to the prosecution panel, urged citizens to scrutinize online content and focus on official trial evidence.
“Every day may fake news,” Barbers noted, observing that critics routinely resort to personal attacks against lawmakers involved in the impeachment process rather than addressing substantive issues.
Retired Rear Adm. Roy Vincent Trinidad, AFP spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea, highlighted how hostile actors manipulate sensitive local topics to undermine government credibility and promote foreign interests without employing direct military action.
“Ngayon, mas mahirap ma-detect sapagkat impeachment sumasabay dyan, Sanjia sumasabay dyan, and other local issues; flood control sumasabay dyan,” Trinidad explained.
In response, military intelligence and cyber units are collaborating with partner agencies to cross-examine online claims against empirical data.
“Our greatest weapon is the truth,” said AFP spokesperson Col. Francel Padilla, emphasizing the armed forces’ commitment to safeguarding the country’s information environment.
Barbers reiterated that while the prosecution panel respects dissent, the public must rely on official trial records rather than online narratives.
“Ang panawagan namin palagi sa ating mga kababayan, Kung maaari, subaybayan ninyo. Pakinggan ninyo at dinggin ninyo yung ebidensyang inilalatag. Nang sa ganun, ay maiwasan natin yung maniwala tayo sa fake news,” Barbers urged.
“Ebidensya ang dapat maging pakinggan,” he added, stressing that the proceedings are grounded in constitutional accountability rather than political conflict.
“At the end of the day, ang mahalaga ho dito ay ang ating konstitusyon, ang ating saligang batas. Meron pong tinatawag na accountability mekanismo.”