Audio Deepfake of President Marcos Jr. Ordering Military Action Against China Circulating Online; PNP, CICC Identifies Possible Source  

On April 23, 2024, the Presidential Communications Office (PCO) released a statement, warning the public about a circulating video that contained an altered audio of President Marcos Jr. allegedly ordering the military to act against China should military tensions escalate. The PCO clarified that “no such directives” were given by the president and that the video with the altered audio was made with the help of Artificial Intelligence (AI) deepfake technology.  

While the original video posted on YouTube was already taken down as per request of the Department of Communications and Information Technology (DICT), copies of the video continue to circulate online. A preview of the video with the altered audio can be found here.  

A detailed report of the incident can be found in the latest Cyber Risk Report which can be found here.  

“Possible” Source of Audio Deepfake Identified  

On April 27, 2024, the Philippine National Police (PNP) revealed that the possible individual or group responsible for the deepfake audio has already been identified, with investigations currently ongoing.  

“We already identified the possible source of this deepfake audio, but as to the extent of his involvement here, that’s still subject to investigation”  

Jean Fajardo, PNP Spokesperson

According to PNP Spokesperson Jean Fajardo, the PNP Anti-Cybercrime Group (ACG) and the DICT are working closely in the investigation, with the PNP tasked to identify the potential location or source of the deepfake audio. Meanwhile, the Department of Justice (DOJ) previously instructed the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) to take the necessary legal actions against the individuals responsible for the deepfake audios.  

Deepfake Audio Work of an Individual, Not A Country – CICC  

The creation of the audio deepfake circulated amid escalating tensions between the Philippines and China in the West Philippine Sea, and with China currently at the front of several hacking-related incidents.  

However, the Cybercrime Investigation and Coordinating Center (CICC) clarified that the deepfake audio was the work of an individual, and not a country, and is not related to the “Balikatan” exercise in any way.  

“Because when it comes to that, it’s an exercise we’ve been doing for so many years, right? And for the creation of this one, it just so happened that they were here, but it’s not because of the Balikatan, 

-Mary Rose Magsaysay, CICC Deputy Executive Director Assistant Secretary 

Deepfake Incidents Expected to Rise – DICT 

According to DICT Secretary Ivan John Uy, deepfake incidents are expected to rise as the election approaches, with deepfake technology being utilized to spread misinformation and disinformation.  

“Well, it’s going to grow, especially now with AI, and especially with the upcoming elections this year” 

Ivan John Uy, DICT Secretary