Fake news alert: No, PH military choppers won’t spray pesticides vs COVID-19

Screenshot of the fake message going around regarding the use of pesticides to fight COVID-19

MANILA, Philippines — A social media post circulating online claims that “special military helicopters” will spray pesticides in the skies all over the Philippines to fight the rapidly spreading coronavirus disease (COVID-19).

While it is obviously illogical, the Philippine Air Force released a statement to debunk the claim.

“When you hear the sounds of airplanes at night, it is for you to know that it is related to this matter (COVID-19),” claimed the bogus post going around Facebook and other private chat groups on Saturday.

“So you must stay indoors after 12 midnight and remove all clothes which are outside,” it added.

This is not true, said the Air Force on a Facebook post.

“There are no military aircraft that will be deployed for such activities. We urge the public to stay updated from reliable sources and avoid spreading fake news,” it said.

Philippine National Police chief Brig. Gen. Bernard Banac, in a radio interview with DZBB, appealed to netizens to be more responsible with their social media.

“Iwasan po natin ang gumawa ng mga kwento o usap-usapan sa mga chat groups na nagsisimula lamang sa pagtatanong kung totoo ba. Kapag na-screenshot nagiging viral,” he said.

(Let’s avoid making up stories or discussing these made-up stories in chat groups whether they’re true or not. When someone takes a screenshot, it can go viral.)

“Ito ang nagiging dahilan kung bakit nagkakaroon ng pangamba at takot ang publiko,” he said, citing the circulating message on military helicopters spraying pesticides as an example.

(This creates panic and fear to the public.)

As of Sunday, the confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Philippines leaped to 380 after 73 new cases were confirmed, along with 25 deaths and 15 recoveries.

READ: COVID-19 alert: Confirmed cases in PH soar to 380, death toll climbs to 25