Manila, Philippines – Two online content creators, MJ Reyes and Krizette Chu, apologized on Friday for social media posts that misrepresented facts about the war on drugs and government cash aid.
During a congressional hearing on cybercrimes and fake news, lawmakers confronted the creators over their posts. Reyes had previously claimed that the killings in the war on drugs were a “massive hoax” and that certain “criminal forces” were distorting reality. Manila Representative Bienvenido Abante challenged Reyes to provide proof, stating that investigations by the Commission on Human Rights confirmed the killings.
“If you want to be a credible source, you must have solid evidence,” Abante said. Under pressure, Reyes admitted to relying on news reports and not official documents. “I apologize, sir. Moving forward, I will verify information before posting,” she said.
Meanwhile, Chu faced scrutiny for using the word “tanga” (stupid) in reference to the government’s cash aid program while debt levels increased. She admitted her mistake, saying, “I apologize for my bad words, sir.”
Chu was also questioned about a claim she made suggesting mass resignations among police and soldiers due to the arrest of former President Rodrigo Duterte. When asked to provide proof, she admitted, “That was just my impression from social media.” Police officials later confirmed that no mass resignations had occurred.
Despite admitting her mistake, Chu refused to fully retract her statement, insisting that she was merely reflecting social media sentiments.
Lawmakers reminded both creators of their responsibility in spreading truthful information, emphasizing the impact of social media in shaping public perception.
