DICT Issues Warning Against Sharing Manipulated Video of President Marcos

MANILA — The Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) issued a stern warning on Monday against the dissemination of a digitally altered video depicting President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. Undersecretary Jeffrey Ian Dy, speaking during a televised interview on PTV, emphasized that sharing the fabricated video is not only unethical but also illegal under Philippine law.

According to Philippines News Agency, the act of posting or sharing the fake video, which initially appeared during a political event in Los Angeles, is punishable under Republic Act No. 10175, also known as the Cybercrime Prevention Act. “Because you’re willingly trying to spread false utterances or misleading information,” Dy explained, underscoring the seriousness of the offense.

The DICT is particularly focused on tracing the originators of the video, with law enforcement agencies such as the Philippine National Police (PNP) and the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) actively pursuing those responsible. Dy suggested that the video might be part of a broader destabilization plot, given its timing and the subsequent calls for President Marcos’ resignation by some groups.

Dy also detailed the technical discrepancies that confirm the video’s inauthenticity. “This is a fake video. You’ll notice the lighting on his face is not consistent, the rest is a little bit darker,” he pointed out, helping to identify signs of digital manipulation.

In response to the circulation of this video, the DICT has contacted major social media platforms including Facebook, YouTube, and TikTok, requesting the removal of the content. Additionally, Dy encouraged the public to utilize online tools available for detecting manipulated images and videos, which can help prevent the spread of misinformation.

Arsenio Andolong, a spokesperson for the Department of National Defense, also commented on the issue, describing the video as a “maliciously crude attempt to destabilize the administration.” The video, which allegedly shows President Marcos using illegal drugs, had rapidly spread across social media platforms, sparking controversy and misinformation.