Lexi Gonzales says fake news can ruin a nation; Allen Dizon warns vs cyber scams

The cast members of the upcoming political action-drama series “Taskforce Firewall” Lexi Gonzales and Allen Dizon weighed in on the issue of fake news and rising cybercrime incidents in the Philippines. 

During a press conference on Tuesday, May 19, in Quezon City, Gonzales was asked what kind of punishment should be imposed on those spreading fake news, in which she stressed that stricter penalties and digital restrictions should be considered.

“Sa palagay ko, ang fake news, hindi lang naman mga personal na buhay natin ang nakaapekto. Minsan, national. Di ba? Sa fake news, may nananalong politiko kahit di naman dapat,” Gonzales said. 

(I think fake news does not only affect our personal lives. Sometimes, it’s national. Right? Because of fake news, even politicians win elections when they shouldn’t.)

READ: Roi Vinzon, son Anton to share screen for first time in sports drama ‘Kamao’

The Kapuso actress added that punishment should go beyond imprisonment as fake news can “ruin a nation.”

“Para sa akin, bukod sa tama naman ‘yung sinabi ni Shayne na bukod sa makulong, I think, dapat matanggal lang din sila ng right to access the internet gadgets and everything. Kasi, para sa akin, ang fake news is a virus that can ruin a nation. Ganon siya kabigat,” she emphasized.

(So for me, aside from being jailed like Shayne said, they should also be stripped of the right to access the internet and gadgets. Because fake news is a virus that can ruin a nation. It is that serious.)

Dizon, meanwhile, underscored how timely the series is, sharing his own experience as a victim of hacking.

“Ako naman na-hack ‘yung Facebook ko, last month lang. Wala akong pinundot sa cellphone ko, pero ba’t nahack yung phone ko? ‘Yan ang nakakapagtaka, ganon sila magaling ‘yung mga scammers,” Dizon said. 

(As for me, my Facebook was hacked just last month. I didn’t click anything on my phone, so why was it hacked? That’s what’s puzzling. Scammers have really become more daring.)

The actor-model emphasized how cybercrime affects ordinary individuals, relating it to the current issues happening in the country. 

“‘Yung nga, sabi nga yung Dom, parang lahat tayo nagpapakihirap magtrabaho, nabubuhay tayo, hindi lang tayo tulog para may mapakain, may uwi sa pamilya, tapos nanakawin lang ng ibang mga scammers,” he lamented. 

(As Dom said, we all work hard, we barely rest just to provide for our families, and yet scammers just steal from us.)

“Napakatimely ‘yung show natin para maging aware ‘yung mga tao. Lalo na, mahirap ang buhay ngayon. ‘Yung ibang mga tao ninanakaw lang yung pera ng bayan. Pero tayo, nagpapakahirap tayo. Sumusunod tayo sa rules, law-abiding citizen. Still, hindi natin alam kung saan napupunta ‘yung mga pera natin, mga taxes natin,” Dizon added.

(Our show is very timely to make people aware. Life is difficult now. Other people are just stealing the people’s money even though we play it fair. We follow the rules, law-abiding citizens. Still, we don’t know where our money, our taxes, go.

“Taskforce Firewall” is a political action-drama series that aims to raise awareness about cybercrime through storytelling. It follows a group of individuals brought together by fate who become cyber protectors fighting digital threats.

The series is headlined by Kylie Padilla, Miguel Tanfelix, Kyline Alcantara, Jak Roberto, and Buboy Villar. 

Aside from Gonzales and Dizon, the supporting stars include Shayne Sava, Dominic Ochoa, Glenda Garcia, Rodjun Cruz, Cheska Fausto, Anna Abad Santos, John Vic De Guzman, Yasmien Kurdi, and Mark Herras.

“Taskforce Firewall” is set to premiere on GMA on May 25. /edv