NBI files raps vs 4 ‘fake news’ vloggers

MANILA, Philippines — Four vloggers are facing charges for allegedly manipulating video interviews of state officials and spreading misleading online content. 

Charges of unlawful use of publication, violation of the Anti-Alias Law and inciting to sedition were filed yesterday with the Department of Justice by the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI). 

“They are spreading videos on social media platforms, wherein interviews of government officials are spliced and presented out of context,” said senior agent Raymond Macorol of the NBI Criminal Intelligence Division. 

Altered statements included NBI Director Jaime Santiago’s warning that vloggers spreading false information will face raps, whether they are based in the Philippines or abroad. 

Macorol said the manipulated video of Santiago was made as if authorities were planning to arrest overseas Filipino workers (OFWs). It encouraged viewers to stop sending remittances.   

Macorol did not name the vloggers, but said three are based in Saudi Arabia, Canada and New Zealand. One of them, based in the United Kingdom, is currently on vacation in Bohol.