AFP flags deepfake videos of chief Brawner
The Armed Forces of the Philippines has cautioned the public to watch out for a YouTube channel that features “deepfake” videos of its chief, Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr.
“The AFP warns the public against a fake YouTube channel impersonating AFP Chief of Staff General Romeo S. Brawner Jr. through highly deceptive, AI-generated videos,” it said on Tuesday night. “These contents are unauthorized, digitally manipulated and intended to mislead.”
“The AFP strongly condemns the malicious use of AI to undermine public trust, warning perpetrators and purveyors of deepfakes that the long arm of the law will soon catch up with them,” it added.
No longer accessible
The YouTube handle “Gen. Brawner Jr” had over 2,000 subscribers, according to the image posted by the AFP on Tuesday. It showed the titles of at least six videos, mostly about the war between Russia and Ukraine. The views for the videos ranged from 255 to 97,000.
But as of this posting, the channel could no longer be found.
In October, the AFP also issued a warning regarding “coordinated disinformation efforts” to sow division within its ranks and erode public trust in the government.
It cited, in particular, fake news circulating online about a supposed plan by President Marcos to scrap the pension for soldiers.
AFP spokesperson Col. Francel Margareth Padilla had called the claim “baseless and malicious” and said there was such “no directive, policy or any agreement” from Mr. Marcos.
She warned that the rumor was part of “coordinated disinformation efforts” meant to “divide the ranks of our soldiers and retirees” and “weaken the institution from within.”
At the time, a surge in false information targeting the AFP was observed on various social media platforms. The spread of fake news also coincided with rumors in November about a movement within the AFP to form a “military junta” amid corruption allegations hounding the government over flood control projects.
In response, the AFP denied the rumors and reiterated its commitment to upholding the constitution.
It also warned that the spread of fake news was being exploited by both domestic and foreign actors, including those working to justify Beijing’s efforts to claim almost the entire South China Sea, including the West Philippine Sea.
Chinese vessel spotted
In a related development, the Philippine Navy on Wednesday said it deployed two of its warships to “escort” away a “loitering” People’s Liberation Army-Navy (PLA-N) frigate off Zambales last week.
According to the Navy, “members of the local maritime community” reported on Dec. 17 the presence of a PLA-N Jiangkai II class frigate with bow number 569 approximately 41 nautical miles southwest of Capones Island in the West Philippine Sea.
Upon receiving the report, the Navy deployed the Emilio Jacinto and BRP Diego Silang, which sent a radio warning against the Chinese frigate that “had been loitering within the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone without clarifying [its] intention and purpose.”
“The foreign warship is currently being escorted in a controlled and nonescalatory manner,” the Northern Luzon Naval Command (NLNC) said in a statement.
Professional posture
“Throughout the encounter, Philippine Navy ships maintained professional and measured posture while firmly asserting Philippine sovereign rights,” the NLNC added.
The PLA-N warship was spotted near Panatag (Scarborough) Shoal, which has become one of the flashpoints of tension between Manila and Beijing.
Since taking over the shoal in 2012, China has enforced what experts call an “exclusion zone enforcement” around Panatag, denying fisherfolk access.
Through its “10-dash line,” Beijing claims sovereignty in almost the entire South China Sea, but Manila brought the matter to an international court, which effectively ruled in favor of its sovereign rights in 2016.
The arbitral tribunal also declared Panatag Shoal a traditional fishing ground for the Philippines, China and Vietnam.
