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PROI agencies launch 24/7 client crisis hotline to mitigate rise of misinformation, fake news
February 15, 2022 5:25 p.m.
With the increased use of social media platforms and messaging apps, the volume of misinformation and fake news through online media will be on an uptrend in the coming year. PROI network, the largest global partnership of independent agencies, calls on organizations to prioritise this emerging crisis type.
To help companies tackle misinformation crises before they escalate and grow, PROI announces the roll-out of a dedicated 24/7 client crisis hotline.
Misinformation crises display a common thread – they proliferate primarily through online media, such as social media platforms and messaging apps.
• In 20191 , UK’s Metro Bank was the victim of a fake news campaign where news of its impending shutdown went viral via the hugely popular WhatsApp messaging app. Within hours, various bank branches saw panicked customers attempting to withdraw their savings or to empty their safe deposit boxes. The bank’s share price suffered a severe drop due to the negative perceptions and market panic.
• In 2020 , Facebook removed a network of fake pages and accounts allegedly operated by Vietnamese telco group Viettel Group for the purposes of discrediting their competitors.
• Throughout 2020 – 2022, a slew of misinformation has also been released about the COVID-19 pandemic and vaccination information.
• Agencies can feel free to customise relevant newsMisinformation such as rumors of data breaches, fake vaccine products and company crises offer ripe opportunities for malicious agents to take advantage.
According to Check Point Software 2022 Cyber-security Predictions , the volume of advertisement groups for fake vaccines have multiplied within 2021. On top of that, cyber groups will continue to leverage these types of fake news campaigns to execute cybercrime through various phishing attacks and scams.
Companies who stay on top of fake news will thus not only protect themselves from misinformation adversely affecting their companies, but also protect themselves against agents exploiting misinformation for vulnerabilities.
The 24-7 crisis hotline offered by PROI agencies will provide a first response for companies seeking advice in times of misinformation and be a useful tool in mitigating such crises. The hotline is manned directly by PR practitioners from around the region, clients may seek support at +65 8885 9528 or find their local PROI representative here.
“Looking ahead, organizations should be cognizant of the threats and ensure that they have in place a crisis preparedness plan that includes fake news and misinformation. It is imperative to stay ahead of threats and be proactive in developing a crisis preparedness plan before a crisis hit. Once it hits, the plan comes to activation, and you’ll have to fix it fast,” said Karin Lohitnavy, Founder and Master Connector, Midas PR Group.
“Organizations confront with issues and crisis including fake news at varying degree. However, when poorly handled no matter the degree of severity; an issue may turn into a full-blown crisis and may worsen to jeopardise the viability of a business,” added Jojo S. Nugroho, Managing Director, Imogen PR (Indonesia).
PROI agencies have consistently proven itself on some of the world and the region’s most demanding strategic crisis communication projects. Our clients include a range of publicly listed international companies, government-owned energy companies, medium sized businesses, start-ups, government departments, and not-for-profit organisations.
“At PROI, the world’s largest partnership of PR agencies, with 75 locally owned, independent consultancies present in 50 countries and 110 cities across the globe, we can deploy and draw a multi-disciplinary set of skills, experiences and resource around the globe,” said Lena Soh-Ng, PROI Crisis Group, APAC, Co-Chair and Senior Advisor and Founding Partner of Distilleri (Singapore).
“Planning is absolutely crucial. Planning for fake news attack is comparable to preparing for a media crisis; be prepared for every possible situation, have a competent media team ready, and appoint trained and dedicated spokespeople who deliver a consistent message and response to all queries,” said Doy Roque, M2.0 Communications Inc (Philippines).
“We strongly believe the most effective crisis preparedness plan is achieved through a close and trusted working partnership, where threats are identified, considered and planned for. A clear focus on priority risks, the establishment of a process that allows ongoing transparency of emerging risks, and the continual building of the organisation’s team capability, will fortify a comprehensive Crisis Preparedness Plan,” Elaine Chuah, Executive Director, Priority Communications PR Sdn Bhd (Malaysia).
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NephroPlus Philippines strengthens nationwide presence with 50 clinics
7:09 p.m. June 27, 2026
NephroPlus Philippines announced the expansion of its nationwide network to 50 dialysis clinics, a major milestone in its mission to make quality dialysis care more accessible to Filipinos.
NephroPlus recently opened its 50th clinic in Orion, Bataan. The achievement follows the addition of eight newly acquired clinics located in Cauayan, Isabela; Laurel, Batangas; Orani, Bataan; Cagayan de Oro; Aliaga, Nueva Ecija; Kamagong, Quezon City; Bacoor, Cavite; and Ipil, Zamboanga Sibugay in Mindanao. The expanded footprint strengthens the company’s ability to serve patients in high-chronic kidney disease (CKD)-prevalence areas with limited access to specialized renal healthcare services.
The expansion also aligns with the broader international growth strategy of NephroPlus, Asia’s largest dialysis provider, while contributing to the country’s pursuit of universal health coverage through infrastructure and workforce developments. The company helps create local employment opportunities for healthcare professionals, clinical staff, and admin personnel in the communities it serves.
“Reaching 50 clinics in the Philippines is a defining milestone not just for NephroPlus but for every Filipino living with kidney disease, who deserves access to world-class dialysis care closer to home. The Philippines is now our second-largest country of operations globally, a testament to the trust communities here have placed in us. Our focus remains where it has always been, on our guests, their outcomes, and their right to live normally. At NephroPlus, life can be normal even when kidneys aren’t,” said Rohit Singh, Group CEO of NephroPlus.
Altogether, NephroPlus Philippines brings a total capacity of 686, serving an estimated 2,866 patients every month.
Standardizing Quality Across a Growing Network
As NephroPlus Philippines continues its nationwide expansion, the company ensures to invest in systems and processes that enable every clinic to deliver the same standard of care to its guests everywhere.
“Consistency is crucial for a continuously expanding network like NephroPlus,” said Gowtham Arumugam, Country Head of NephroPlus Philippines. “As much as we want every Filipino to receive the world-class dialysis they deserve, we first ensure that every clinic we open meets our NephroPlus standards – care that is safe, ethical, and compassionate. This demonstrates our commitment to quality dialysis care for our guests.”
This quality is evident across the company’s operational excellence, workforce development, and digital innovation.
The company maintains a robust operational framework that includes active compliance monitoring, standardized clinical protocols, structured onboarding of newly integrated centers, regular quality audits, and continuous patient feedback mechanisms. From operations to senior leadership, direct engagement across all clinics helps strengthen accountability and ensure consistent standards of care.
Every patient at NephroPlus is referred to as a “Guest,” based on the company’s Guest Care Model, which is a commitment to safe, ethical, and patient-centered care. To support this philosophy, the company recently launched the NephroPlus Hemodialysis Training Center in Quezon City, its first-ever training facility in the country. The center develops highly skilled dialysis professionals through programs aligned with the Department of Health (DOH), Philippine Society of Nephrology, and international standards.
Complementing its investments in infrastructure and workforce development, NephroPlus is leveraging technology to enhance guest support nationwide. Earlier this year, the company launched its Guest App, a first-of-its-kind digital platform designed to support comprehensive renal care management beyond treatment sessions. Apart from appointment scheduling, guests can access a learning hub, lifestyle guidance, and a patient community network that overall support their healthcare journey.
NephroPlus Philippines’ ongoing investments in clinic expansion, professional training, and healthcare innovation are a collective effort to reinforce its global commitment: to provide every guest living with kidney disease the opportunity to live a fuller, healthier, and more meaningful life.
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Kaspersky detected more than 92,000 malware attacks disguised as AI services in 2026
2:10 p.m. June 10, 2026
From January to the beginning of May 2026, Kaspersky solutions detected more than 92,000 attacks of malware and potentially unwanted applications worldwide disguised as popular Artificial Intelligence (AI) agents and AI services.
Cybercriminals exploited trusted brands to lure victims into downloading malicious files, with fake ChatGPT applications accounting for almost half (49%) of all detected attacks, while Claude and Gemini each represented 18%. Kaspersky presented these insights at its annual flagship European conference, Kaspersky HORIZONS, in Rome on May 19.
Since the beginning of the year, Kaspersky researchers have identified more than 15,000 samples of malware masquerading as agentic AI software, including fake versions of rapidly growing tools such as OpenClaw. Among these samples were banking trojans, spyware, exploits, and malware downloaders capable of deploying additional malicious payloads.
In May 2026, Kaspersky Global Research and Analysis Team (GReAT) also uncovered a new campaign linked to the Silver Fox advanced persistent threat (APT) group. In this operation, attackers distributed fake Claude AI applications for Windows, macOS, and Linux, targeting users seeking access to AI tools. Once launched, the malicious installers silently deployed malware onto victims’ devices, enabling long-term access to compromised systems and sensitive information.
“The introduction of AI agents into enterprise environments changes the nature of trust itself. Every automated action becomes part of a wider chain of systems and data exchanges, which means security is no longer just about protecting endpoints – it is about controlling how intelligence, permissions, and decisions propagate across interconnected AI-driven processes,” explains Dmitry Galov, Head of Russia and CIS units at Kaspersky GReAT. “Users should also keep in mind that attackers are actively leveraging popular AI services as a lure to steal victims’ confidential data and funds. Taking into account the evolution of modern threat landscape, reliable security solutions are becoming an essential part of digital life.”
To protect against evolving threats, Kaspersky recommends organizations:
- Protect corporate infrastructure against a wide range of threats. Use solutions from the Kaspersky Next product line that provide real-time protection, threat visibility, investigation and advanced response capabilities. If a company lacks cybersecurity workers, it can adopt managed security services such as Kaspersky Managed Detection and Response (MDR) and / or Incident Response that covers the entire incident management cycle – from threat identification to continuous protection and remediation.
- Equip your cybersecurity team with in-depth visibility into cyber threats targeting your organization. The latest Kaspersky Threat Intelligence delivers rich, contextual insights throughout the entire incident management cycle, enabling timely identification of cyber risks. AI-powered open-source intelligence search enhances your team’s ability to uncover and respond to emerging threats with greater precision.
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Honda PH expands export business through Click125
5:27 p.m. May 21, 2026
Honda Philippines Inc. (HPI), the leading motorcycle manufacturer in the Philippines, continues to expand its export operations as it officially begins exporting Click125 to N.C.X. Co., Ltd Cambodia and Laos, the exclusive manufacturer, distributor, and assembler of Honda motorcycles in the area.
The initiative marks another milestone in HPI’s commitment to bringing Philippine-made motorcycles to the global market while strengthening its presence across Southeast Asia.
The send-off ceremony, attended by HPI Executives, Management Members, and Project Leaders on May 15, 2026, celebrated the dispatch of the first batch of Click125 units bound for Cambodia and Laos. Export containers and actual motorcycle units prepared for shipment were also showcased during the event, highlighting HPI’s growing international business operations and dedication to delivering high-quality mobility products beyond the Philippines.
As one of Honda’s highest-selling motorcycle models in the country, the Click125 has become a trusted choice among riders because of its aggressive yet minimalist design, fuel-efficient engine, and advanced features suited for everyday commuting. Its reliable performance and riding comfort have made it popular among Filipino Customers, making it a strong model for export to neighboring Southeast Asian markets.
“The Click125 export to NCX Cambodia and Laos marks another significant achievement for Honda Philippines as we bring one of the most trusted motorcycle models of Filipino riders to international markets. This milestone reflects our commitment to showcasing the quality of Philippine-made motorcycles and delivering the Joy of Mobility to more customers across the region.,” said Takeshi Kobayashi, President of Honda Philippines, Inc.
For more product information, visit www.hondaph.com. Stay updated on HPI’s newest products and promos by following Honda Philippines, Inc. on Facebook at facebook.com/hondaph, Instagram at instagram.com/hondaph_mc/, YouTube at Honda Philippines_Motorcycle, and TikTok at tiktok.com/@hondaphilippines. For inquiries, contact (02)-8581-6700 to 6799, and 0917-884-6632.

