The Cybercrime Investigation and Coordinating Center (CICC) has intensified its online monitoring operations against fake news, misinformation, and disinformation ahead of the first parliamentary elections in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM).

The CICC’s Threat Monitoring Center is conducting round-the-clock digital surveillance in coordination with the Commission on Elections (Comelec) and the Presidential Task Force on Media Security (PTFOMS), focusing on election-related content that could mislead voters or undermine the integrity of the electoral process.

CICC Executive Director Undersecretary Renato “Aboy” Paraiso said strict monitoring will continue until the elections conclude, warning that social media anonymity will not protect individuals who violate election laws.

“Anonymity will not shield anyone who violates election laws. We will identify violators, establish the evidence, and hold them accountable under Comelec Resolution No. 1164,” Paraiso said.

The operation will also prioritize reports of vote-buying, with authorities targeting action within an hour. The CICC will use digital tools to detect deceptive AI-generated content and flag disinformation for possible takedown, with Meta, Google, TikTok, and X tapped to assist in addressing problematic content.