Bacolod residents warned vs.fake news on COVID-19

By Glazyl Y. Masculino

BACOLOD City – The city government of Bacolod is monitoring some accounts and users online, following misinformation on Facebook regarding the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).

City Legal Officer Joselito Bayatan said that “while the city government is trying its best to issue timely and relevant information through traditional means and on social media in the fight against COVID-19, it is sad to note that there are some unscrupulous individuals who try to mislead the public with their false information and malicious posts on Facebook and other social media outlets.”

So-called fake news posted on Facebook and some chain messages sent on Messenger circulated lately after the general community quarantine was implemented here to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

Bayatan said that there are now numbers of accounts, users under surveillance.

He said that the City Legal Office has been tasked to strictly coordinate with the Philippine National Police Anti-Cybercrime Group (PNP-ACG) to monitor and trace the authors or any persons creating and spreading false news, misinformation, and disinformation.

Such acts violate the Cybercrime Prevention Act, and in this abnormal COVID-19 time, the violation of Republic Act No. 11332 or the “Mandatory Reporting of Notifiable Diseases and Health Events of Public Health Concern Act”.

He said that any internet establishment that caters to violator of the law shall be similarly sanctioned.

“We encourage these unscrupulous, irresponsible, and malicious people to stop these acts that leads to panic, confusion, and paranoia, and which could harm the public order,” he said.

Local residents are encouraged to be discerning of any information on social media regarding developments on COVID-19.

He said the city government is posting its official announcement on its official Facebook pages – Bacolod City PIO, Evelio “Bing” Leonardia, and Bing Leonardia.

Meanwhile, Police Colonel Henry Biñas, director of Bacolod City Police Office (BCPO), also warned the general public to stop spreading fake news or they will face charges.

Biñas said that individuals who will be caught committing such violation will be investigated and will be dealt accordingly.