PNP verifying 6 social media posts for nCoV disinformation

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine National Police-Anti-Cybercrime Group (PNP-ACG) is currently verifying six posts on social media for alleged disinformation on the novel coronavirus acute respiratory disease (2019-nCoV ARD).

“[We are looking at] six suspected fake news subject for validation,” PNP-ACG spokesperson Capt. Jeck Robin Gammad said in a text message.

PNP spokesperson Brig. Gen. Bernard Banac warned that those confirmed to have posted disinformation on social media about the virus may be charged for violation of Presidential Decree 90 or Declaring Unlawful Rumor-Mongering and Spreading False Information, and for the Unlawful Use of Means of Publication and Unlawful Utterances under Article 154 of the Revised Penal Code in relation to Section 6 of Republic Act 10175, otherwise known as the Anti-Cybercrime Law.

“Please avoid spreading unofficial, unverified and unvalidated information on nCoV or face arrest. We will not hesitate to file charges against anyone found spreading false information,” he said in a separate text message.

“Know that penalties may be raised one degree higher if the medium of publication, circulation, distribution is through online,” Banac also warned.

Banac also advised the public to be wary of false information that is spread online and to report to authorities those spreading fake news.

Edited by MUF