ILOILO City — Social media users who pass off artificial intelligence (AI)-generated images of people in police uniforms as genuine photographs could face legal consequences if the content falsely suggests Philippine National Police (PNP) authority, depicts fabricated operations or is used to deceive the public, the Police Regional Office 6 (PRO-6) warned.
The warning comes amid the proliferation of AI-generated images on social media, particularly Facebook, showing civilians or non-police individuals realistically portrayed in PNP uniforms.
PRO-6 stressed that the use of artificial intelligence itself is not illegal, but problems may arise depending on how AI-generated material is presented and the intent behind its publication.
The regional police said realistic synthetic images could blur the line between fiction and reality, potentially causing people to believe they are seeing actual police personnel, law enforcement activities, emergencies or crime scenes.
PRO-6 regional director Police Brigadier General Randulf Tuaño urged social media users to clearly disclose when images have been generated or altered using AI, particularly when police uniforms and other symbols of authority are involved.
“AI gives people many ways to be creative, and there is nothing wrong with that. What we ask is that people also be responsible with what they post. If an image is AI-generated, especially when it shows someone in a police uniform, make that clear so that others will not mistake it for a real photograph,” Tuaño said.
PRO-6 identified several circumstances that could raise serious legal concerns, including AI-generated content that falsely implies PNP affiliation, endorsement or authority; misrepresents actual police operations, emergencies or crime scenes; or is intended to deceive the public, commit fraud or cause community alarm.
The police advisory effectively draws a distinction between harmless digital creativity and AI content presented in a manner that could mislead people into believing that fabricated scenes or identities are genuine.
“We simply ask everyone to pause and think before posting. A creative image is one thing, but presenting it as something real is different. A little transparency can prevent unnecessary confusion and help preserve public trust,” Tuaño added.
PRO-6 also urged the public to verify police-related information before sharing it online and to rely on official PNP and PRO-6 social media channels for authenticated information.
The regional police command said responsible use of emerging technology has become increasingly important as realistic AI-generated content makes it more difficult for ordinary social media users to distinguish authentic photographs from synthetic ones.
PRO-6 said the advisory forms part of its campaign against digital misinformation and its commitment to “Responsive, Trusted, and Transformative Policing for a Safer Western Visayas.”/PN
