Protecting truth, defending freedom: The new battle for Philippine Independence

Philippine Independence Day is a celebration of freedom. It marks the moment Filipinos broke free from Spanish colonization and honors the nation's enduring journey to sovereignty.

- By ANTHEA GRAPE

This liberation required immense sacrifice, including the lives lost in wars and the courage to claim an identity unburdened by foreign rule. Today, however, the battlefield has changed.

The Internet has become a new front, flooded with fake news that undermines the truth, distorts public discourse, and manipulates political views.

Independence is no longer just about defending land—it has also become about protecting accurate information to secure the nation's future.

THE INVISIBLE WAR FOR TRUTH

From deepfake videos of political candidates to troll farms rewriting history, artificial intelligence (AI) has become a powerful tool for controlling the narrative.

According to Cyabra, a social threat intelligence platform and partner of Meltwater, 45 percent of social media discussions during the 2025 Philippine midterm elections were driven by fake accounts or bots.

This surge in disinformation sowed division, confused voters, and weakened democratic processes, making it harder for Filipinos to make informed choices.