Emergence of fake FB accounts a political destabilization? PNP can't say yet

The Philippine National Police (PNP) has yet to determine if the recent emergence of fake Facebook accounts could be linked to the controversial anti-terrorism bill, PNP chief Police General Archie Francisco Gamboa said on Tuesday.

At a Laging Handa press briefing, Gamboa was asked if the proliferation of dummy accounts is a form of "political destabilization."

"We still have to find out the connection. Ayaw naming magconclude without appropriate basis. Wala pa kaming definite na connection with those allegedly destabilizing the government," he said.

Earlier in the day, National Privacy Commission (NPC) commissioner Raymund Liboro said the surge of the fake Facebook accounts is "very unusual" in their experience.

"Sa karanasan ng NPC, unusual 'to. ‘Yung mga impostor account, dummy account, ‘yan ay bahagi na ng buhay sa loob ng Facebook. Pero ‘yung ganitong bugso ng mga reports, very unusual,” Liboro said.

"Kapag may mga fake o hindi awtorisadong mga accounts na lumalabas sa social medoa, may panganib na magagamit ‘yan na hindi awtorisado,” he warned.

Gamboa has tasked the Anti-Cybercrime Group to investigate the emergence of fake Facebook accounts. He also urged the public to continue reporting anonymous social media accounts to authorities.

Over the weekend, a huge number of fake accounts have emerged, resulting in alarm and concern of Facebook users. Some have claimed that this was in connection with the opposition over the new anti-terrorism bill.

Over 100 reports have been received by the Department of Justice hours after it launched an investigation on the emergence of fake accounts.—AOL, GMA News