The Center for Information Resilience and Integrity Studies (CIRIS) is taking a stand against disinformation campaigns targeting the West Philippine Sea (WPS). Founded by Christopher Balagtas and Erik Chua, and led by Executive Director Michel Andre P. del Rosario, CIRIS works to expose false narratives and protect Philippine sovereignty through credible storytelling and strategic communications.
Del Rosario, a former Assistant Secretary and chair of the Information Working Group of the National Task Force for the WPS, says the fight is not just about fact-checking but about national defense. With 90.8 million Filipinos online daily, CIRIS warns that social media has become a battlefield for foreign malign influence.
False claims, troll networks, fake experts, and AI-generated personas are among the tactics used to undermine public trust and diminish the Philippines’ resolve. CIRIS counters this through its ARM Framework: Awareness, Resilience, and Motivation, turning complex issues into impactful stories through partnerships, media campaigns, and films like Alon ng Kabayanihan with the Armed Forces of the Philippines.
The group prioritizes reaching younger audiences, urging them to pause, verify, and think critically before sharing content. CIRIS stresses that defending the truth is a civic duty and calls on all Filipinos to challenge misinformation, support credible sources, and stand firm in defending national sovereignty.
Upcoming efforts include expanded digital literacy initiatives and deeper grassroots engagement to strengthen the country’s defense against disinformation.
