Police nab four for spreading fake news

March 27, 2020

The Philippine National Police- Anti-Cybercrime Group (PNP-ACG) on Thursday filed criminal charges against four persons for allegedly spreading false reports and information on the  coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).

Police Brigadier General Bernard Banac, the PNP spokesman, said the PNP- ACG identified the first suspect as Maria Diane Serrano,  a resident of Brangay Banaynay in Cabuyao City after a thorough investigation and verification of the Regional Anti-Cybercrime Unit 4A (Calabarzon).

Banac said Serrano was responsible for causing panic in the area last February for spreading false information about “a patient positive for COVID-19 that was admitted and died at the Global Medical Center Inc of Cabuyao”.

PNP-ACG acted on another incident in Lapu-Lapu City where the Regional Anti-Cybercrime Unit 7 (Central Visayas) conducted fact-checking and validated information and found out three residents in the area were responsible for spreading  false information.

The Lapu-Lapu City PNP and its city government filed a case on March 26, against Fritz John Menguito, Sherlyn Solis, Mae Ann Pino at the Lapu-Lapu City Prosecutors Office.

“PNP-ACG in Central Visayas said they will continue to adhere to implement the law and file charges against any netizen caught spreading fake news in these trying times of COVID-19 pandemic,” Banac said.

The suspects are facing charges for violating Unlawful Use of Means of Publication and Unlawful Utterances under Article 154 of the Revised Penal Code as amended in relation to Section 4 or Online Libel and Section 6 of Republic Act No. 10175, the Anti-Cybercrime Law.

Banac said the PNP is serious in taking countermeasures against misinformation through cyberpatrol operations and monitoring all social media platforms. 

“Time and again, we urge the public to refrain from posting and sharing unreliable and unverified reports and information on the pandemic that may cause panic and fear,” Banac said.

He emphasized that cybercrime laws provide stiff penalties for persons who will be caught spreading false reports and unverified information especially if done during a period of national emergency. Ella Dionisio/DMS