PNP yet to find why fake Facebook accounts sprouted

June 9, 2020

The chief of the Philippine National Police (PNP) on Tuesday said they have yet to determine the reason behind the sudden creation of fake Facebook accounts.

During the Laging Handa virtual press briefing, Police General Archie Francisco Gamboa was asked if this is a form of “destabilization” against the government.

“We still have to find out the connection because it is hard to conclude without appropriate basis. We still don’t have definite connection with those allegedly destabilizing the government,” Gamboa said.

Gamboa said the PNP- Anti Cybercrime Group is  investigating the incident.

Gamboa said it is easy to create and delete fake accounts so the filing of cases will depend on how fast they can trace the dummy accounts.

“They just post and then easily they can clean after so it will really determine the filing of cases on how fast we can trace the (account) owners,” he said.

He also seeks cooperation from Facebook management.

Gamboa warned those who are creating fake accounts that they will be facing criminal charges.

“It is not worth the risk. Later on, when you face a case, you will not be happy because the full force of the law will be after you,” Gamboa said.

According to University of the Philippines (UP) Office of the Student Regents, several “empty, duplicate and fake accounts” bearing students' name came out following the arrest of seven UP Cebu students for conducting a protest against the Anti-Terrorism Bill.

Not only UP students but also students from other university who expressed opinion over the bill saw they had fake Facebook accounts. Ella Dionisio/DMS