Spreading disinformation on COVID-19 can lead to jail

By Dolly Yasa

BACOLOD City – Vice Mayor El Cid Familiaran warned that anyone who will intentionally spread disinformation about the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) can be imprisoned.

Familiaran issued the statement Thursday after a screenshot of an unidentified man spread on social media. The caption claimed that the individual is from Wuhan, China and tested positive for COVID-19.

The post further claimed that the individual in the photo stayed in a hotel in Bacolod City and disappeared when authorities came looking for him.

Familiaran said anyone caught spreading false information can be held liable for violating Republic Act No. 11332 (An Act Providing Policies and Prescribing Procedures on Surveillance and Response to Notifiable Diseases, Epidemics, and Health Events of Public Health Concern).

Violation of the law can lead to one month to six months in prison and fines ranging from P20,000 to P50,000.

Dr. Grace Tan, spokesperson of the city’s Inter-Agency Task Force against COVID-19, slammed the post as a hoax, pointing out it is impossible for Chinese nationals, especially those from Wuhan, to travel to the country since President Rodrigo Duterte already imposed a travel ban on China, Macau, and Hong Kong.

Aside from the city, several localities in Negros Occidental such as San Carlos City and Pontevedra also posted similar warnings against disinformation.