DICT, PCO, DOJ launch ‘Oplan Kontra Fake News’ to counter disinformation, AI deepfakes

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 Various government agencies have launched a coordinated response against online disinformation and AI-generated deepfakes, as authorities warn of growing risks to public trust, emergency response, and national security in an increasingly complex digital environment.

The initiative, dubbed “Oplan Kontra Fake News,” was formalized through a memorandum of agreement signed by the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT), Presidential Communications Office (PCO), and Department of Justice (DOJ), establishing a unified inter-agency framework to address fake news, coordinated disinformation campaigns, and digitally manipulated content.

The agreement was signed by DICT Secretary Henry R. Aguda, PCO Acting Secretary Dave M. Gomez, and DOJ Secretary Frederick A. Vida, alongside senior officials from the three agencies.

The move comes amid rising concerns over the spread of false and misleading information across online platforms, particularly during disasters, public health emergencies, and other critical events where timely and accurate information is essential.

Under the agreement, the DICT will lead efforts to strengthen digital reporting systems and provide technical expertise on cybersecurity and emerging AI-driven threats. The PCO will handle rapid public information and counter-disinformation campaigns, while the DOJ will oversee legal evaluation and prosecution under existing laws, ensuring due process.

An Inter-Agency Steering Committee will also be formed to coordinate reporting, evidence handling, and response strategies against viral disinformation that could threaten public safety and national security.

“In the age of artificial intelligence and hyper-speed information, truth must move faster than deception. This partnership ensures that government, technology, and law enforcement work as one to protect every Filipino from digital manipulation,” Aguda said.

Authorities emphasized that the initiative is not intended to restrict legitimate expression, noting that safeguards are in place to protect journalism, academic discourse, dissent, and freedom of expression under the Constitution.

The program forms part of a broader directive of Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. to strengthen digital resilience while maintaining democratic protections, as the government pushes a whole-of-nation approach to addressing online harms and safeguarding information integrity.