Spreading fake news not gov’t policy, Roque says

December 29, 2017

Malacanang said on Friday  spreading fake news is not a policy of the Duterte administration.

Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque said there could be "a few supporters" of President Rodrigo Duterte who are spreading fake news but it does not mean the administration supports it.

"There's no policy to spread fake news by this administration," he said, noting those who spread fake news have their own move and interest.

Roque was reacting to MSNBC’s report, citing the big role played by fake news on social media sites for Duterte's successful campaign in the 2016  presidential elections.

MSNBC cited the fake news about the supposed endorsement of Pope Francis in May 2016 endorsing Duterte's candidacy.

Roque said even he and Duterte were victims of fake news.

In the case of Duterte, he said there were reports that it was the  president who ordered the killings, apparently referring to those slain drug suspects.

But he said Duterte did not order the killings.

Roque, however, said it would have been "foolhardy" for any political candidate not to tap Facebook as a campaign tool.

"All candidates did so, unfortunately for his detractors, President Duterte appeared to have been the best candidate who utilized Facebook the most. Again, the internet is the manifestation of the free marketplace of ideas and it should be made to flourish, as freedom of expression is responsible for freedom of thought and public opinion, which we know will fiscalize governments," he added. Celerina Monte/DMS