Blogger apologizes for false water cannon claim in Philippines

A Filipino blogger, Mark Lopez, apologized to lawmakers after falsely claiming that Philippine forces use water cannons against vessels in the West Philippine Sea. This statement was made during a House hearing focused on misinformation in social media. The apology came after lawmakers threatened Lopez with contempt during the hearing. Deputy Speaker David Suarez questioned him about his comments regarding social media criticism of the Philippine Coast Guard. Lopez's claims were compared to actions taken by Chinese vessels in the region. Lawmakers demanded clarification from Lopez. They pointed out that there is no evidence of the Philippines using water cannons against China. Lopez initially suggested that the Philippines could perform water cannon attacks like other countries, but he later admitted that his statements were "fake news." The hearing included discussions about the spread of misinformation online. Lawmakers highlighted the dangers of false information, especially regarding sensitive issues like territorial disputes. Other social media personalities were also present at the hearing, addressing the growing concern over disinformation in the Philippines.