PNP takes backseat to PCOO in tracking ‘fake news’ peddlers on nCoV

MANILA, Philippines – The Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) would be the lead agency in tracking social media users spreading alleged misleading information or “fake news” about the 2019 novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV).

Philippine National Police (PNP) Chief Gen. Archie Gamboa said on Monday the police’s Anti-Cybercrime Group (ACG) will take a backseat and let the PCOO act against the alleged misleading posts on social media sites, especially pertaining to the nCoV threat.

Gamboa, however, clarified the PNP-ACG would be ready to provide assistance, if deemed necessary by agencies within the National Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council (NDRRMC).

“Meron kasi kaming ginawang simulation exercise sa NDRRMC… and part ito (misleading information) sa napag-usapan, na maging duty ng PCOO ‘yong social media, and kakabit ‘yong PNP doon kung kailangan ‘yong services ng aming Anti-Cybercrime (Group),” Gamboa told reporters in Camp Crame.

(We have created simulation exercises at NDRRMC and misleading information was among the things discussed.  Monitoring social media would be PCOO’s duty, and the PNP would help if they need the services of our Anti-Cybercrime Group.)

“We wait for PCOO on the protocols that should be done kapag may ganito, kasi… kasama ‘yon, dissemination ng fake news, on how to deal with it.  So aware ang PCOO on that, we’re just waiting for instructions (We’re waiting for PCOO on the protocols that should be done during these situations, on how to deal with the dissemination of fake news. So the PCOO is aware of that, we’re just waiting for instructions),” he added.

Gamboa added that they would not elect to act on their own because they might commit mistakes.

“But again, whenever we work in government, there are always lead agencies.  Kasi kung magsarili kami (if we do it on our own), it might not lead to good results, or baka hindi siya tama (or it may not be the proper way) on how to address it,” Gamboa explained.

“So it’s usually a whole of nation approach, that’s why there are committees created like NDRRMC, to address disaster, may ganitong sickness (these kinds of sicknesses),” he added.

As authorities confirmed that two Chinese nationals staying in the country were infected with the 2019-nCoV — one of which eventually died on Saturday — several posts about alleged “confirmed cases” went viral on social media.

This resulted in government offices and health institutions, including the Department of Health, and numerous hospitals to issue statements of denial. Davao City Mayor Inday Sara Duterte likewise belied having a case of nCoV in the city, although she admitted that they were monitoring eight Chinese nationals who have subsequently tested negative of the new virus strain.

On the other hand, some eagle-eyed social media users also spotted a different trend of misleading information, with prominent administration supporters not only changing their position about allowing Chinese nationals into the country’s ports, following the order of President Duterte to temporarily ban their entry; most of them also made identical posts about calling for sobriety and appealing to the Filipinos’ humanity.

https://www.facebook.com/MalacanangEvents/posts/520475895257897?_rdc=1&_rdr

https://www.facebook.com/clintonstidbits/posts/3224287450932956?_rdc=1&_rdr

Duterte eventually ordered a ban on Philippine-bound flights from China, Hong Kong, and Macau on Sunday, but critics have insisted that the government prioritized Chinese relations over precautionary measures.

In recent years, the Philippines has fostered a strong relationship with China, despite various issues on sovereignty, Chinese-funded loans, territorial dispute in the West Philippine Sea, and the proliferation of Chinese workers in Philippine Offshore Gaming Operations (POGOs).