TROLL FARMS | Senator reveals government funds troll farms to target foes, critics

June 8, 2021 , 09:45 PM

(June 8, 2021) – An undersecretary in a government agency has started building an army of keyboard warriors to target political foes and critics ahead of the elections next year, an independent senator said on Tuesday.

Panfilo “Ping” Lacson learned about the official’s clandestine operations when one of his former staff was asked to join the disinformation operation aimed at influencing voters’ sentiments next year.

“Meron akong alam na isang high official, sabihin na nating undersecretary, na nag-o-organize na sa buong bansa—bawat probinsya [ay] hinihingian nila ng quota na mag-organize ng at least two troll farms,” Lacson told reporters.

“Maraming information na dumarating sa amin, maraming trolls na nag-operate para siraan ‘yung mga posibleng makakalaban hindi lang sa amin kundi pati sa mga ibang hindi aligned sa administrasyon.”

Lacson said the undersecretary, who he did not identify, could be “overeager” to marshall troll armies and show what he can do for the president and his would-be successor.

The former national police chief-turned legislator said he hoped President Rodrigo Duterte or any of his Cabinet officials were not directly involved in the illegal operation.

There were reports based on a study by Oxford University that in the 2016 elections, the president won after he funded 400 to 500 groups with $200,000 to vilify his opponents and prop up his image.

There was no immediate comment from Duterte’s spokesman, Harry Roque, on Lacson’s bombshell.

Lacson said politicians should focus on elevating the political discourse during the elections and end the “vicious cycle” of dirty political tactics harming the citizenry.

“There is a bigger responsibility on the part of potential leaders to decide – and prepare – to be a leader of this country,” he said.

“Our people’s lives depend on it. Tiktok, photo ops, and lip service cannot solve our country’s enormous problems.”

Lacson has said he will only run for president if Senate President Vicente Sotto III agrees to become his running mate.

(Beatrice Puente/MM with reports from Maeanne Los Baños, News5)

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