Lawmaker accuses Philippine government of employing “internet trolls”

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Lawmaker Claims Philippine Government Employs Cyber Armies – aka ‘Internet Trolls’ – www.plnmedia.com

Leftist lawmaker, Kabataan Partylist Representative Terry Ridon has come up with a theory about how the government of the Philippines is trying to influence the opinions of citizens – a troll army.

Mr Ridon said: “Many social media experts have repeatedly pointed out how the Aquino administration has systematically deployed cyber armies – aka Internet trolls – to sway public opinion online, especially in times of political crisis.”

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The lawmaker also said that the Aquino administration seemed to be following the trend started by nations such as the United Kingdom, Russia and China.

The three nations Mr Ridon mentioned have employed thousands to create trolling accounts within social media and other online places to comment, participate in forums, sway public opinions and even make memes to persuade the public in one way or the other.

Mr Ridon also accused the government of bankrolling these alleged trolls through a ‘black budget’ account totalling 1.4-billion pesos as part of the national budget which gives money toward classified and secret operations within the governmental scope.

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Mr Ridon ridiculed the current administration saying the ‘black budget’ was called so, as it kept the public “in the dark” about its true purpose.

“We challenge the Executive Department to disclose its employment of paid trolls to wage online propaganda for the president and his men.

“We also challenge the Aquino administration to disclose details on the use of confidential and intelligence funds – even through an executive session of the House,” he said.

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