Solon suspects PDEA leaks part of destabilization moves
The National Intelligence Coordinating Agency (NICA) on Thursday said they already identified the individuals — mostly foreigners — involved in spreading the “deepfake” audio of President Marcos.
NICA Deputy Director General for Special Concerns Abelardo Villacorta said the agency has been coordinating with the international community in identifying the people behind the manipulated content of Marcos supposedly ordering military action against another country.
“We have identities already,” Villacorta said.
“In fact, some intelligence agencies from other countries have been very active in supporting us and that’s why we are able to achieve a lot that is just not broadcast or published by the media,” he added.
However, Villacorta admitted having trouble locating the individuals involved.
He said the perpetrators were using a virtual private network (VPN) to hide themselves.
“It happened that these individuals have a virtual personal something. And although we know that they came from one country, their VPN shows they’re in another country. So it’s becoming very challenging on our part to really identify these people involved in this kind of activity,” he said.
“But, we have some partnership with other intelligence agencies. Not only domestic but international. Our partnership is very strong,” he added.
As this developed, House Deputy Majority Leader and Tingog party-list Rep. Jude Acidre on Thursday said the testimony of a former agent of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) linking the President to illegal drug use is part of a larger effort to discredit and destabilize the administration.
Acidre—together with Deputy Majority Leader and Isabela 6th District Rep. Faustino Dy V and Assistant Majority Leader and Taguig City 2nd District Rep. Amparo Maria Zamora—also raised doubts about the credibility of former PDEA intelligence officer Jonathan Morales’ claims, hinting at possible fabrication.
“I think it becomes even more clear now that this is part of a bigger effort to discredit and destabilize the current administration,” Acidre said.
During a recent hearing of the Senate Committee on Public Order and Dangerous Drugs, Morales testified on the “authenticity” of leaked 2012 documents allegedly implicating then-Senator Bongbong Marcos in illegal drug use.
However, PDEA Director General Moro Virgilio Lazo strongly refuted Morales’ claims.
He said the documents in question, including a supposed pre-operation report and authority to operate, were non-existent.
Lazo said Morales’ allegations were “fabricated” and “have no basis.”
He said the Senate panel should not rely on testimony from an individual who had previously committed perjury by concealing his dismissal from the Philippine National Police during his application to PDEA.
Zamora also questioned the authenticity of the documents presented by Morales.
She pointed out that during the hearing, the PDEA said the document lacked a control number.
“There is no such document in any PDEA record. So, obviously the document doesn’t exist,” Zamora said.