Trolls, propagandists step up attacks vs. Robredo, opposition

PERSONAL INSULTS and political attacks against those who are critical of President Rodrigo Duterte and the opposition are increasing in social media ahead of next year’s national polls.

Trolls have heightened their attacks against Vice President Leni Robredo and her daughters, and other politicians and well-known and respected personalities identified or supporters of the opposition.

They and political propagandists also spread fake news and misinformation against civil groups and even the clerics, but at the same time praise Duterte and his daughter, Mayor Sara Carpio of Davao City, who is reportedly gunning to replace his ageing father.

Don’t Engage

Senator Panfilo Lacson also urged the public and social media users to resist the urge to engage the trolls and report or block their accounts and pages. “Resist the urge to engage them, report them, and block them – these are the three-point habit that ordinary Filipinos can develop against internet trolls, while waiting for Facebook and other social media platforms to crack down on them,” he said.

“We know trolls are financially and emotionally fuelled by agitating and getting a response from their targets. Denying them that fuel is a good first step,” he added.

Lacson said he also encountered and dealt with trolls on social media and blocked over 2,000 accounts.

He also gave some tips on how to spot online trolls: “The person’s main Facebook profile has no activity; and usually has a generic or unidentifiable profile photo; Overly aggressive and condescending behavior, with targeted offensive messages instead of reasonable arguments; Use of ‘copy-paste’ or distinguishable patterns in their comments. They also use fake news and, or twisted logic, and have a sudden surge of ‘like-minded’ comments targeting and attacking one who does not share their views.”

Lacson also backed Senate President Vicente Sotto III’s call to Facebook Philippines to act against troll farms supposedly being set up for the 2022 elections. “As we wait for the companies concerned to take appropriate action, it would be better for us to develop the habits that will deny these trolls their prize,” he said.

He also said that one government official, whose rank is undersecretary, has started organizing troll farms using government funds – two in each province – in time for the elections.

Mudslinging

UCAN or the Union of Catholic Asian News also reported on June 23 that Father Norberto Garido, a parish priest from Lucena Diocese, south of Manila, has condemned what he called an online mudslinging campaign allegedly instigated by Duterte against Robredo.

The priest said recent Facebook posts by trolls calling Robredo an “inutile” and “worthless” leader were likely funded by the Duterte administration. “Now that election time is getting nearer, trolls are once again active to try and destroy those who speak against or criticize President Rodrigo Duterte. Trolls are responsible for spreading fake news. Let us all be standard-bearers of the truth, not lies,” he said.

“Trolls have victimized not just the vice president, but many other individuals who criticize Duterte policies such as extrajudicial killings. Every time a person criticizes this administration, trolls flood social media with derogatory remarks to bully them,” the priest added. 

The report said opposition lawmakers are pushing for an investigation into alleged government involvement in troll farms or groups of internet trolls that seek to influence political opinions and decision-making.

Not Us

Last September, Presidential spokesman Harry Roque disputed allegations that Duterte admitted using Facebook trolls. “I dispute that the president admitted to using trolls. He never ever admitted to using trolls. I stand by that as the Presidential Spokesperson. We do not run troll farms. It was the administration in the past that used these,” Roque said.

Roque said he was also a victim of black propaganda after a video clip appeared on social media showing him criticizing Duterte in 2016. “Lumabas na naman sa social media ang isang lumang video, where I criticized then Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Roa Duterte. Talagang desperado na ang mga kritiko at mga kalaban. Pero may kasabihan nga, ang punong hitik sa bunga ay binabato. Public knowledge naman na hindi ko sinuportahan ang kandidatura ng Pangulo nang siya ay tumakbo noong 2016. Ngunit hindi ibig sabihin nito ay magiging kritiko na lang ako ng Pangulo – just for the sake of criticizing,” he said.

Roque continued to say that when he ran and won a congressional seat, Duterte supported many of his bills, among them are the Universal Health Care, Free Irrigation, HIV and AIDS Policy Act, and Balik Scientist Program.

“Patunay na hindi hadlang ang aming pagkakaiba ng pananaw para isulong kung ano ang mabuti sa ating mamamayan. In addition, I am a vocal supporter of the President's independent foreign policy. This likewise shows that the President has walked the talk. PRRD’s promise of real change is not just a mere empty campaign rhetoric. Nakita at naramdaman ko at ng taumbayan ang tunay na pagbabago. At ito ang nagkumbinse sa akin na suportahan ang Pangulo at kanyang administrasyon na may tunay na malasakit sa tao kaakibat ang matapat na serbisyo sa bayan,” he said. (Mindanao Examiner)