by: Jerome Paunan
MANILA, (PIA) — Philippine Information Agency (PIA) Director-General Katherine Chloe De Castro has called on university students to combat the spread of disinformation regarding the West Philippine Sea dispute, saying fake news threatens national security and public understanding of maritime issues.
Speaking during a symposium at the Polytechnic University of the Philippines (PUP), De Castro emphasized the crucial role of young Filipinos in countering false information, particularly on social media.
“I believe that Filipino youth have the strongest voice on social media,” said said in her speech that shifted between Filipino and English. “The voice of truth should be louder than lies. It should always be louder than lies.”
The event was jointly organized by the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), National Youth Commission (NYC), PUP, and PIA’s National Capital Region office as part of ongoing educational initiatives about maritime sovereignty.
De Castro cited Social Weather Stations research indicating many Filipinos struggle to identify legitimate news, a concern she linked directly to national security interests in disputed waters.
“There are groups using fake news to confuse the public and weaken our position,” she said. “We should not simply believe everything we read or see, especially on social media.”
The PIA chief highlighted recent similar forums held at other state universities across Luzon, including Cagayan State University, Tarlac State University, and recent visits to Sorsogon and Legazpi.
She called for strengthening existing legislation like the Cybercrime Prevention Act and implementing international standards for content moderation on social platforms.
“The fight against fake news is everyone’s fight,” De Castro concluded. “You will be the next leaders and defenders of the country.”
PCG spokesperson for WPS Commodore Jay Tarriela, NYC Commissioner-at-Large, Assistant Secretary Karl Josef Legazpi, and PIA-NCR chief Emver Cortez also participated in the symposium, which focused on increasing awareness about territorial issues in the West Philippine Sea. (JCO/PIA-NCR)
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