By Christopher Lloyd Caliwan
MANILA – The Philippine National Police (PNP) is setting strict limits on officers’ use of artificial intelligence (AI) and warned the public against creating deceptive videos that could harm the organization.
In a statement Wednesday, PNP chief Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. said deepfakes falsely depicting police personnel threaten the organization’s integrity and public trust.
“These deepfakes are designed to look and sound like us to manipulate public opinion. We won’t allow technology to be used as a tool to mock the uniform or deceive the people,” he said.
Nartatez clarified that the use of AI tools is not entirely prohibited for officers but is only tightly controlled.
“While we encourage digital transformation, we should be mindful of the use of AI for ‘clout-chasing’ contents that could damage the image of the PNP as an organization,” he said.
He added PNP Memorandum Circular No. 2024-077 governs personnel’s social media content.
Under the order, officers in uniform may create vlogs only on official police activities. Only personnel from police community relations (PCR) units or those authorized by the Directorate for Police Community Relations (DPCR) may use uniforms, equipment, and facilities for content.
Other officers may create content off duty but must follow social media policies and cannot wear uniforms or use police resources.
The memorandum also bans livestreaming or vlogging official events, camps, and offices on personal accounts for security reasons.
The PNP Anti-Cybercrime Group (ACG) earlier warned about AI-generated videos falsely depicting officers, including one showing a cop misbehaving at a fast-food restaurant.
Nartatez said the PNP-ACG is monitoring online platforms and working around the clock to remove misleading content. (PNA)
