The Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) of the Philippines has expressed concerns that offshore gaming operators (POGO) might transform into "cyber armies" and attempt to interfere in the 2025 midterm elections. The department noted that the recent surge in fake job postings is highly similar to the operational models of POGO, which could be used to manipulate online public opinion.
Jeffrey Ian Dy, the Deputy Minister responsible for cybersecurity at DICT, stated at a news forum on Saturday that investigations have found some online organizations using techniques and facilities similar to those of POGO for large-scale operations. Although the investigation is not yet complete, preliminary signs indicate that these resources could be used to influence elections.
"This is a large-scale operation, and we suspect that the same techniques and resources could be used to manipulate election outcomes. This is concerning because social media can be used to create false public opinion, manipulate public emotions, and even affect voters' decisions," Dy said.
He emphasized that social media platforms need to strengthen regulations to curb the spread of fake news and misinformation, otherwise the same mechanisms could not only be used to spread recruitment information but also for political manipulation.
Meanwhile, a joint committee of the House of Representatives has initiated investigations into cybercrimes, fake news, and misinformation, aimed at punishing those who spread false information online. The Commission on Elections (Comelec) has also called on candidates to be vigilant about suspicious trending posts on social media and to report any content that could affect the fairness of the elections in a timely manner.
George Erwin Garcia, the chairman of Comelec, said in an interview, "We need to monitor not only the behavior of parties or candidates but also the potential external forces interfering. Such strategies have been used by multiple countries as a means to influence elections, and we must be vigilant."
The Philippine government is intensifying efforts to develop measures to ensure the fairness and transparency of the 2025 midterm elections.
