Facebook fake accounts could be part of scare tactics vs ‘terror bill’ — Lacson

MANILA, Philippines — Senator Panfilo Lacson on Monday said the creation of dummy accounts on Facebook may be a part of possible “scare tactics” against the anti-terrorism bill, which various groups fear would spur human rights violations and suppress dissent.

“Nakakabahala in the sense na pwede isama yan sa scare tactics. For all we know, yung kumokontra (sa anti-terror bill) ang nagpapakalat niyan para matakot ang mga tao by dishing out disinformation,” Lacson said in an interview on CNN Philippines on Monday.

(It’s alarming in the sense that it may be used as scare tactics. For all we know, those opposing the anti-terror bill are the ones behind the creation of these dummy accounts to scare the public by dishing out disinformation).

The senator, one of the main proponents of the anti-terror bill in the Senate, said the proposed measure is open to the scrutiny of the public so that they can “see for themselves” if the information being released to “influence” opposition against the bill is true.

“Maliwanag naman, nakasulat lahat. This is a public document na pwedeng basahin ng mga tao to see for themselves kung totoo ba ang mga information na lumalabas para ma-influence sila na kumontra rito. For all we know, sila rin may gawa niyan, part ng scare tactics nila yan,” he said.

(It is clear, everything is laid out. This is a public document that the public can read to see for themselves if the information being released to influence opposition for the bill is true. For all we know, they are the ones who created these accounts).

The Anti-Terror Bill seeks to strengthen the Human Security Act of 2007 and punish those who will propose, incite, conspire, participate in the planning, training, preparation, and facilitation of a terrorist act; including those who will provide material support to terrorists, and recruit members in a terrorist organization.

However, several critics said the bill is open to abuse as it bears vague provisions that may be used to clampdown dissent.

“Nakakita tayo nagde-demonstrate: ‘Activism is (not) terrorism.’ Where in the world makita nila sa amin sa proposed measure kung ang activism ay terrorism? Tapos sinasabi ‘No to warrantless arrests.’ Lahat na crimes may warrantless arrests. Ito ang mga disinformation campaign na kumakalat ngayon. Kaya ibalik ko sa kanila, baka sila rin may gawa ng trolls na nananakot na may dadamputin,” Lacson went on.

(We are seeing demonstration saying: ‘Activism is [not] terrorism.’ Where in the world will they see under the proposed measure that activism is classified as terrorism? And then they say ‘No to warrantless arrest.’ All crimes have warrantless arrests. This is the disinformation campaign that is spreading today. That’s why I’ll ask them, maybe they also created the trolls that are scaring people that they may be arrested).

Facebook is currently investigating the surge of dummy accounts being reported by students and faculty of some universities. It also encouraged users to report accounts suspected to be inauthentic through their reporting tools.

The Department of Justice (DOJ), likewise, ordered a probe on the sudden spike of fake Facebook accounts.

‘Guided by Bill of Rights’

Lacson said the crafting of the measure in the Senate was anchored on the country’s Bill of Rights.

“We are guided by the Bill of Rights: ‘No law shall be passed abridging the freedom of speech and expression,’ peaceably assemble, to air their grievances against the government,” he said.

The senator, a former chief of the Philippine National Police, further assured that the conduct of rallies or protest would not be considered as an act of terrorism under the bill.

“If the rally is held peacefully, tapos legitimate or peaceful ang assembly, maski may masaktan o ma-vandalize o masira na infrastructure, kung ang intent and purpose is incidental, ang pagkasira sa ang purpose ay mag-air ng grievances, it will not fall under this proposed measure,” he said.

(If the rally is held peacefully, and if the assembly is legitimate or peaceful, even if someone gets hurt or they would vandalize, if the intent and purpose is incidental or to air grievances, it will not fall under this proposed measure).

Lacson also earlier said that while the controversial anti-terror bill’s passage in the House of Representatives could no longer be recalled, the justice department “can still interfere” by advising President Rodrigo Duterte to veto the proposed measure.

EDV