PNP to track down people spreading fake news

March 24, 2020

The Philippine National Police (PNP) on Tuesday said they created a task force to track those who are spreading “fake news” in relation to the ongoing enhanced community quarantine on the 2019 coronavirus disease (COVID-19) threat.

In a press briefing, PNP Deputy Chief for Operations Lieutenant General Guillermo Eleazar said the “Task Force COVID Kontra Peke (Task Force COVID against Fake) was established with the help of the help of the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT).

"We appeal to the public to not create panic, especially those who are releasing fake news… that’s why our chief PNP (Police General Archie Francisco Gamboa) ordered, in coordination with DICT, the creation of our Task Force COVID Kontra Peke," Eleazar said.

The police official, who also heads the Joint Task Force CV Shield, warned those who will not stop on spreading misinformation which only cause fear to the people.

"We will look for you,” he said.

Earlier, Gamboa warned those who will spread fake news that they can be charged for violating Republic Act 10175, the Anti-Cybercrime Law.

Eleazar said they will also run after against those who are hoarding and selling overpriced alcohol and face masks as well as those local government officials who are asking fees in exchange for a quarantine pass.

In a statement, Interior Secretary Eduardo Año also ordered the PNP to arrest those who will spread fake news after the arrest of two individuals for spreading fake information on COVID-19 online just for them to sell their “fake medicines”

Año lauded the PNP for their prompt monitoring and action in arresting the suspects.

“Though the job of the PNP is a lot during this time of crisis due to manning of checkpoints, I’m glad that they did not neglect on their duty on monitoring and arresting bogus people,” he said.

The secretary asked the people to verify what they share on social media. 

“You should think before you click,” he said.

Año said that there will really be people out there who will take advantage of the COVID crisis and the implementation of the enhanced community quarantine.

"Which is why it is necessary that you only believe in information coming from government authorities and platforms," he said.

He further urged people to report those who are responsible for fake news to the Emergency 911 hotline of the DILG. Ella Dionisio/DMS