Iloilo City: A member of the Sangguniang Panlungsod (SP) has voiced serious concerns over the spread of false information, particularly during this election season, as well as the rise of online scams and digital fraud.

According to Philippines News Agency, Councilor Romel Duron, during his privilege speech titled 'Cybercrimes and False Information: An Urgent Call to Combat Cybercrimes and Spread of False Information,' delivered at the SP regular session, expressed his hope that the council would propose a resolution urging Congress to enact legislation aimed at tackling the issue of false information proliferation.

Duron highlighted the rapid pace of modern life, facilitated by digital platforms that offer convenience and efficiency, but also acknowledged that these platforms have enabled criminals to deceive the public with increasing sophistication. He noted that Mayor Jerry Tre±as has repeatedly complained about fake news, explaining how the mayor's statements are often manipulated in the media, resulting in misleading messages.

Duron shared his personal experience of having his Facebook account hacked multiple times, emphasizing the importance for social media users to verify the authenticity of the information they encounter due to the prevalence of misinformation and disinformation. He stressed his alarm given that even the mayor has raised concerns.

Additionally, Duron called for relevant government agencies to adopt a unified stance on addressing the issue, underscoring the urgency of coordinated action to combat the spread of false information and protect the public.