PRO-6 warns public anew vs spreading fake news

By Jennifer P. Rendon

The Police Regional Office (PRO)-6 again warned the public against spreading fake news.

Police Lieutenant Colonel Joem Malong, PRO-6 spokesperson, issued the caution amid misinformation relative to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) that is spreading on social media.

In Western Visayas, Malong said the Regional Anti Cybercrime Unit keeps an eye for crimes committed via the internet.

She said the RACU has the capability to investigate accounts that proliferate fake news and even cyberbullying.

Malong reminded the public to be aware of their behavior via the web which might violate Republic Act No. 10175 (Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012).

Malong’s statement came in the heels of fake news circulating all over social media that PNP chief General Archie Francisco Gamboa has ordered the donation of the Combat Duty Pay (CDP) and Combat Incentive Pay (CIP) of PNP personnel to the COVID-19 response operations of government.

The CDP and CIP amount to P3,000 each.

Gamboa earlier stressed that “there is no truth to this lie being peddled by certain quarters to serve their own purpose.”

“While it is true that the PNP is extending support to the COVID-19 response operations, the amount I was referring to was the remaining balance of funds collected and donated by the PNP last January for Taal Volcano Eruption relief operations. Police personnel will continue to receive the full amount of monthly Combat Duty Pay and Combat Incentive Pay entitled to personnel assigned to operating units,” Gamboa said in a statement.

He also ordered intensified cyber patrol operations and monitoring against fake news surrounding the COVID-19 concern.