During the Kapihan sa Manila Bay Forum on April 2, 2025, Commodore Jay Tarriela, PCG Spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea, addressed the growing concern of misinformation and fake news, particularly in relation to national security and maritime issues. He explained that misinformation spreads through three levels: π°πππππππππ, π«ππππππππππππ, πππ πΉππππππππ.
π°πππππππππ are social media influencers or personalities with a large following who first introduce misleading narratives and fake news to the public. π«ππππππππππππ, primarily composed of pro-China trolls, aggressively spread and amplify these false narratives across various platforms. Lastly, πΉππππππππ, who are often ordinary citizens and passionate supporters, unknowingly circulate these narratives, becoming victims of misinformation themselves.
Commodore Jay Tarriela emphasized the need for vigilance in consuming and sharing information online, urging the public to be more discerning to counter the spread of disinformation.
