32 peddlers of ‘fake news’ busted by PNP
MANILA, Philippines — Police have arrested 32 alleged spreaders of false information on social media, causing panic among the public about COVID-19.
The Philippine National Police (PNP) on Monday said its Anti-Cybercrime Group (PNP-ACG) has arrested 24 suspects while its police regional officers and Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) arrested eight other suspects.
According to police, the arrested suspects were from Quezon City, Eastern Visayas, Central Visayas, Calabarzon, Mimaropa, Western Visayas, Zamboanga Peninsula, and Caraga region. Police also said another suspect from Zamboanga Peninsula is still at-large.
From March 9 to April 5, PNP-ACG has recorded 32 complaints, which were eventually filed for an inquest or preliminary investigation. Of which, 17 were already filed as cases in court.
All suspects will be facing charges for violating Unlawful Use of Means and Publication and Unlawful Utterances under Article 154 of the Revised Penal Code as amended in relation to Section 4c4 (Online Libel) and Section 6 of Republic Act No. 10175, or the Anti-Cybercrime Law.
PNP then urged the public anew to refrain from sharing and posting false information or reports that could cause panic and confusion as the nation combats the highly contagious novel coronavirus disease.
PNP’s cybercrime group also vowed to be relentless in taking measures against misinformation and the spread of fake reports by conducting cyber patrol operations on social media and other online platforms.
KGA
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