Ignore fake news; get info from gov’t authorities – Duterte

MANILA, Philippines — Don’t believe in fake news. Get your information from government stations and authorities.

President Rodrigo Duterte made that appeal to the public on Monday during his taped weekly “Talk to the People” briefing on Monday after Secretary Carlito Galvez Jr., the national vaccine manager, cited fake news as one of the reasons for the low COVID-vaccination rate in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao.

Duterte pointed out that technology had made it easier to spread information — unfortunately, also disinformation.

“The problem is this false news,” Duterte said, speaking in a mix of English and Filipino. “It’s easy. It can spread immediately. And the problem is that there are people who believe it.  No caveats. There is no warning. For them, it’s enough that they read it,”

President Rodrigo Duterte. (Screenshot from PCOO video)

Since the government has no control over the spread of fake news, Duterte gave this advice: “If you want to know what is the truth, if it is about governance and our work, just wait. Keep on listening to government stations or take it from the mouth of the authorities.”

“Don’t believe in fake news. If you want the truth, try to hear us because we are simply telling the truth. We’re not hiding anything,” he said.

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