MANILA, Philippines — Vice President Leni Robredo appealed to netizens to be vigilant and at the same time report fake news posted on social media — like the recent attempts to red-tag her or link her to the communist movement.
Robredo posted on her Facebook and Twitter account screenshots of posts that contained falsely attributed quotation cards and fake documents, which have been used to criticize or make fun of her.
One quotation card even links the Vice President to the Communist Party of the Philippines and the New People’s Army (NPA), claiming that Robredo has been advocating the protection of communist fighters.
“It gets crazier and crazier. Now I am being red-tagged. None of the allegations here are true. Please help us report these peddlers of fake news,” Robredo said on Saturday.
“Pare pareho at halos sabay sabay ang labas. So mukhang eto yung script this week,” she added, with a laughing emoji.
(What they say are the same and were published almost at the same time. So this looks like the script for this week.)
Robredo shared another photo of a fake statement supposedly belonging to her, which used the logo of the Office of the Vice President.
“Lols. Obviously not mine. This is fake news (again and again) Pls report anyone who shares or posts this,” she added.
The posts tagged by Robredo as fake news included a news item where the National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP) said it would meet with Robredo and other groups regarding the peace negotiations.
While the call from the NDFP really existed — made last September 18 — what the negotiating panel was referring to was an intent to speak with Robredo and other groups, and not a formal declaration of bilateral discussions.
Robredo and the OVP have not announced if they have responded to the NDFP’s call.
The Vice President has been one of the common victims of fake information on social media, with critics and supporters of the administration posting content that is not necessarily accurate.
Last September, social media giant Facebook revealed that they have shut down a network of fake accounts posting content against the opposition and other materials supportive of Davao Mayor Sara Duterte’s possible run in the 2022 elections.
READ: Facebook shuts down fake China-based accounts backing Duterte, Sara’s possible presidential bid