Filipino vlogger arrested for spreading fake news about Marcos

Wendelyn Apduhan Magalso (left) appears for an interview over her manipulated post on social media. NBI/FACEBOOK

A Filipino vlogger is facing cybercrime charges after being arrested by the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) for allegedly manipulating and spreading false information about Philippine President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. In a press conference on Friday (March 21), NBI Director Jaime Santiago confirmed that Wendelyn Apduhan Magalso was arrested at her home in Oslob, southern Cebu Magalso on Thursday night and was charged with violating the country’s Cybercrime Prevention Act. Magalso's arrest stemmed from a manipulated March 14 news post originally published by TV5 News Network Inc. The original quote from President Marcos read: “Sa laban kontra droga at krimen, hindi natin kailangan dumaan sa madugong solusyon. Walang naniniwala na ang solusyon sa krimen at droga ay pumatay ng libu-libong kapwa Pilipino. Hindi tama ‘yun. Ang tamang paraan para tiyakin ang kapayapaan at kaayusan ay sa pamamagitan ng maayos na batas (In the fight against drugs and crime, we do not need to resort to bloody solutions. No one believes that the solution to crime and drugs is to kill thousands of fellow Filipinos. That is not right. The proper way to ensure peace and order is through the rule of law).” However, Magalso allegedly altered the statement to falsely add: “Gumawa tayo ng batas na gawing ‘legal’ ang droga sa ating bansa (Let’s create a law to make drugs ‘legal’ in our country)”. Her post also contained an inflammatory caption criticizing the president. The fake news post went viral on Facebook, prompting TV5 Cebu to file a formal complaint with the NBI. Network executives expressed concern that the manipulated quote not only spread false information but also harmed the credibility of the news network. Following an investigation, authorities tracked down Magalso as the Facebook user responsible for the viral post. NBI 7 Director Rennan Augustus Oliva said that prior to her arrest, they coordinated with Facebook to verify the account behind the spread of misinformation. Magalso later admitted to altering the post for online engagement and financial gain. “I just did that and added a caption below so I would get noticed and earn money. My husband is the only one supporting me,” she confessed in Filipino. If convicted, Magalso could face a jail term of between six months to six years and a fine of up to ₱200,000 (Dh12,810).

Government crackdown on fake news

Following Magalso’s arrest, NBI Director Santiago warned that vloggers and individuals spreading disinformation online would face legal consequences. “We take this matter seriously. Misinformation is not just a social media issue; it is a legal offense,” Santiago said. Meanwhile, the House of Representatives has launched a separate investigation into the growing spread of fake news, particularly following the recent arrest of former President Rodrigo Duterte by the International Criminal Court (ICC). The congressional hearings that investigated pro-Duterte vloggers and bloggers have been met with mixed reactions. While some Filipinos support stricter laws against misinformation, others believe the proceedings are politically motivated. ICA/CAM/Expat Media