Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Benhur Abalos has instructed the Philippine National Police to create a task force to identify the person responsible for uploading and spreading a fake video of a man taking drugs implied to be President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.
In a press conference that included PNP Chief Rommel Marbil, Abalos noted the obvious differences in the facial features of the man in the video and the President himself.
“Sa aking pagtingin sa video, hindi ako naniniwala na ang nandon ay ang Pangulo. Sa tagal na kakilala ko ang Pangulo, ang features niya ay hindi ganito,” he said.
The video reportedly emanated from a Maisug gathering in Los Angeles, California.
Abalos urged the public to exercise critical thinking to avoid falling prey to fake news and videos circulating on social media.
Notably, the perpetrators of the fake video may face charges for violating Republic Act 10175, the Cybercrime Prevention Act.
