PNP forms task force vs purveyors of fake news, hoarders during quarantine

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine National Police (PNP) has formed a task force that would primarily deal with purveyors of fake news, hoarders and other related crimes during the Luzon-wide enhanced community quarantine, a high-ranking police official said Tuesday.

Lt. Gen. Guillermo Eleazar, PNP deputy chief for Operations, said the launch of “PNP Task Force Kontra Peke” is in coordination with the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT). It is also tasked to apprehend people or groups behind hoarding and overpricing of basic goods during the duration of the quarantine.

“In coordination with the DICT na nagcreate kami (PNP) ng Task Force Kontra Peke. [We created PNP Task Force Kontra Peke],” Eleazar said during the Presidential Communication’s Laging Handa Public Briefing.

“So hahanapin po natin yung mga peke itong naglalabas na ito pati operation sa isinasasagawa against hoarding and overpricing,” he added.

(So we will go after those who are spreading fake news even those who are found hoarding and overpricing basic goods will be apprehended.)

As the COVID-19 frontline workers continue to fight the spread of respiratory disease, fake reports also surface online which cause panic and anxiety among the public.

The PNP previously debunked cases of robbery and burglary that recently circulated online during the ongoing quarantine period.

This prompted PNP chief Gen. Archie Gamboa to heighten police visibility in supermarkets and other establishments to ensure that the public is safe from illegal activities.

Edited by JPV