Davao Oriental Police, Media Commit to Fight Disinformation

In a concerted effort to combat digital misinformation, law enforcement and media representatives in Davao Occidental have joined forces to address the growing threat of fake news. The initiative comes as digital falsehoods increasingly threaten public safety and institutional trust throughout the Philippines.

The Davao Occidental Police Provincial Office (DavOcc-PPO) recently hosted an Anti-Fake News Consultative Forum at their Malita headquarters, bringing together police officials, media professionals from local radio stations, and community representatives to develop strategies against the spread of false information.

During the forum, participants received valuable insights from the Philippine Information Agency (PIA) and the Regional Anti-Cybercrime Unit (Racu) of Davao Region. These presentations focused on identifying different forms of misinformation, upholding journalistic ethics, promoting responsible information sharing, and understanding the complexities of cybercrime investigation in the digital landscape.

Provincial Director Police Colonel Sherwin M. Butil addressed the gathering with a sobering assessment of the current digital environment. He described how criminal elements and organized syndicates have weaponized social media platforms to disseminate false information, deliberately creating public panic and undermining confidence in government institutions. In some cases, Butil noted, these disinformation campaigns have attempted to influence legal proceedings.

“Our digital duty as one united force is to fight fake news, which is now an integral part of our role. It is a form of community safety,” Butil emphasized, framing the battle against misinformation as a fundamental law enforcement responsibility.

Police Lieutenant Colonel Elinar F. Agustin, who heads the DavOcc-PPO’s Police Community Affairs and Development Unit, highlighted the rapid proliferation of false information as a significant social challenge. Agustin warned that unchecked disinformation threatens individual rights and dignity while potentially destabilizing entire communities.

“As members of the community, we recognize the importance of promoting truth and accuracy in our information ecosystem. That’s why we’re here today, to equip ourselves with the skills to identify and combat fake news,” Agustin said.

The forum also featured Police Captain Lope Prado from the Police Regional Office’s Community Affairs Section, who emphasized public education and social awareness as critical tools in helping communities distinguish between protected free speech and harmful misinformation. Prado reminded participants that spreading fake news can lead to serious legal consequences under Philippine law.

Representatives from local radio stations Max FM and Sky Radio voiced their commitment to journalistic integrity, pledging to resist the spread of false narratives. Their participation underscores the vital role that traditional media outlets continue to play as trusted information sources amid the proliferation of unverified content on social media platforms.

The forum attracted a diverse array of participants beyond law enforcement and media personnel. Representatives from the provincial government, the Department of Information and Communications Technology, the Philippine Army’s 73rd Infantry Battalion, and faith-based organizations in Malita attended the event, demonstrating a whole-of-community approach to the problem.

“Their presence demonstrated strong interagency support and a shared commitment to fostering a well-informed and resilient community,” Butil noted.

The initiative in Davao Occidental reflects a growing national concern about digital misinformation in the Philippines, where social media penetration is among the highest globally. With internet accessibility continuing to expand throughout the country, authorities are increasingly prioritizing digital literacy and responsible information consumption as essential components of public safety infrastructure.

The forum represents part of DavOcc-PPO’s ongoing efforts to strengthen digital literacy, promote responsible information sharing, and protect the integrity of both law enforcement operations and the wider community against the damaging effects of misinformation, disinformation, and malinformation in today’s complex digital landscape.