MANILA, Philippines — The House prosecution team urged Filipinos to verify information about the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte as the Armed Forces of the Philippines warned that foreign malign influence operations increasingly exploit domestic controversies, including the impeachment and flood-control issues.
Prosecution team adviser and spokesperson Robert Ace Barbers urged the public to examine claims circulating online and, when possible, follow the evidence presented before the Senate impeachment court.
“Every day may fake news,” Barbers said, referring to online narratives targeting lawmakers who endorsed Duterte’s impeachment. He said critics sometimes resort to personal attacks when they cannot address the issues raised against them.
His warning followed remarks from retired Rear Admiral Roy Vincent Trinidad, AFP spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea, who said foreign malign influence operations have expanded beyond traditional pro-Davao and pro-China narratives.
Trinidad said operators now exploit domestic controversies, including the impeachment, the Sanjia issue and alleged irregularities involving flood-control projects, to influence public opinion.
He said these operations can distort local issues to favor China while attacking government officials who take positions on matters involving the country’s interests.
AFP spokesperson Col. Francel Padilla said the military continues to monitor activity in the information space and coordinate with government agencies to verify information circulating online.
“Our greatest weapon is the truth,” Padilla said.
Padilla said AFP intelligence and cyber units work together to establish facts and provide the public with information supported by empirical data.
The military officials also said the West Philippine Sea should remain an issue that unites Filipinos across political, regional and religious lines as foreign influence operations expand into domestic issues and social media.
Barbers encouraged Filipinos to follow the impeachment proceedings and distinguish evidence presented in court from claims circulating online.
“Ang panawagan namin palagi sa ating mga kababayan, kung maaari, subaybayan ninyo. Pakinggan ninyo at dinggin ninyo ’yung ebidensyang inilalatag,” Barbers said.
He said the prosecution does not seek to silence criticism or opposing views but wants the public to have access to facts and evidence to make informed judgments.
“Ebidensya ang dapat maging pakinggan,” Barbers said, adding that the impeachment should focus on accountability rather than personalities or political camps.
He said the impeachment process serves as a constitutional mechanism for holding public officials accountable.
“At the end of the day, ang mahalaga ho dito ay ang ating Konstitusyon, ang ating Saligang Batas. Meron pong tinatawag na accountability mechanism,” Barbers said.
