PRO-NIR warns against false Calatrava clash posts

By Glazyl M. Jopson

BACOLOD CITY — The Police Regional Office-Negros Island Region is looking into legal remedies against individuals allegedly responsible for the malicious dissemination of false information online related to an armed encounter between police officers and suspected New People’s Army rebels in Barangay Lalong, Calatrava, Negros Occidental, on Sunday, June 14.

A social media page claimed there were casualties involving personnel of the Regional Mobile Force Battalion-Negros Island Region in Calatrava on June 14.

The regional office strongly refuted the claim, citing an official report that all police personnel, as well as a village chief and a government employee, were safe and accounted for.

The police officers were providing security assistance to the two individuals, who attended an activity in the village, when the clash occurred.

A PRO-NIR report earlier said RMFB-NIR personnel from the 1st Platoon, 2nd Maneuver Company, encountered suspected rebel members in Sitio Kabalagnan, Barangay Lalong, and that no injuries or casualties were reported on the government side. (Digicast Negros)

In a statement, Police Brig. Gen. Romano Cardiño, acting regional director of PRO-NIR, expressed serious concern over the irresponsible dissemination of false and unverified information through social media platforms.

“Such acts create unnecessary alarm among the public, cause undue emotional distress to the families of uniformed personnel, and may adversely affect legitimate law enforcement and security operations,” he said.

Cardiño said the Regional Anti-Cybercrime Unit-Negros Island Region is investigating the matter to identify the individual or individuals responsible for authoring, administering, and operating the social media page that published the false report.

PRO-NIR is also considering reporting the page to Meta for appropriate action under its policies and community standards against the spread of false information.

Cardiño strongly encouraged the public to exercise discernment and responsibility when using social media by verifying information through official sources before sharing or reposting online content.

PRO-NIR said it remains steadfast in its commitment to truth, accountability, public safety, and the preservation of peace and order throughout the region.