MANILA (UPDATED) -- The National Bureau of Investigation said it is probing at least 20 individuals who spread "fake news" on various issues, including the recent arrest of former President Rodrigo Duterte for crimes against humanity cases before the International Criminal Court.

NBI Director Jaime Santiago said his agency has already conducted meetings with the Department of Information and Communications Technology as well as the National Telecommunications Commission.

"Nag-usap-usap na kami kung paano namin once and for all, masawata itong mga fake news spreader, mga vloggers na nagbibigay ng fake news at saka yung creators na makapag-create lang kahit na hindi tama yung ginagawa nila," Santiago said.

Sick of fake news? Tap your 'emotional intelligence,' advocate suggests

Santiago also said they are looking into the possibility that the spread of false information online is a coordinated action led by a particular individual.

"Lahat na, pati ang paninira nila sa mga government officials kung ano-anong sinasabi nilang balita na hindi naman totoo yun ay pinag-aaralan naming mabuti kung bakit ganon ang tema ng vloggers natin ngayon, meron bang namumuno sa kanila, tinitingnan namin iyan lahat," Santiago said.

Santiago said their investigation will be across international borders.

While there are limitations such as libel not considered as a criminal case in other countries such as the United States, Santiago said inciting to sedition may be filed instead.

"So lalo pa at kung ang vlogger ay US citizen, how can we enforce our law sa citizen nila eh hindi naman iyon ang umiiral na batas sa kanila? So tinitingnan namin lahat, but hindi nga sa kanila batas, hindi krimen ang libel. Then tinitingnan namin lahat ng anggulo, for example pwedeng pumasok sila sa inciting to sedition. Krimen iyan sa US, dito sa atin krimen iyan," Santiago said.

Asked if Filipinos living abroad can also be held criminally liable if the acts were committed outside the Philippines, Santiago said they can be held accountable as well.

"Mas madali, mas madali susulat lamang tayo sa Interpol na tulungan tayo, maibalik dito sa atin, extradition," Santiago said.

PH's top 'fake news' researchers launch 'disinfo hub' ahead of 2025 polls

On Friday, several social media personalities attended a hearing on fake news and trolls at the House of Representatives, where they apologized and admitted to some faults.

Palace flags Duterte camp for 'fake news' surrounding ICC arrest

Lawmakers criticized some of their politically-charged posts on social media, which they described as bordering on unverified information. 

Senator Joel Villanueva backed the NBI's investigation, saying that the individuals behind 'fake news' and disinformation must not only be exposed, "but be brought to justice."

"We currently have the Cybercrime Prevention Act but this in itself is not enough to stop the spread of fake news that endangers the lives of people, damages public trust in our institutions, and compromises our future as a nation and as a democracy. We need to amend the law by adding stiffer penalties to put an end to this once and for all," Villanueva said in a statement.

Senate President Francis Escudero, for his part, urged the NBI to be equally vigilant on disinformation, regardless of who is the target.

'CAUSE OF PANIC'

NBI Director Santiago was at the Department of Justice on Monday to attend the graduation of the latest batch of NBI agents, mostly lawyers and experts on information technology or IT and cybercrime.

He said the new agents will be assigned to cybercrime cases and will work on technical intelligence and forensic examinations.

"Alam niyo naman ang krimen ngayon ay cybercrime na iyan ang bagong trend buong mundo, hindi lang dito sa atin sa Pilipinas kaya kailangan talaga kami magsumikap kami maging advanced kami, one step ahead dito sa mga cybercrime violators na ito," Santiago said.

Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla expressed support for the efforts of the NBI against fake news.

"Fake news can cause panic, so we just want to be on the right side of the law, dapat na mawala naman ganon kasi it can cause a lot of unsettlement, I mean, it can unsettle people's feelings and we don't want that to happen," Remulla said.

Remulla said international borders do not limit the fight against fake news.

"Actually, the borders are now getting less and less, there will come a time when even running after those who spread it from distant shores will be very possible," Remulla said.

Remulla noted that peddlers of fake news can be charged with cybercrime.

Asked if there is an individual or group behind the recent spread of fake news, Remulla refused to specify the instigators of false information online. 

"Oh, yes, I think you would also have the same guess as me," Remulla said. -- with a report from RG Cruz, ABS-CBN News

RELATED VIDEO