Manila: Presidential Communications Office (PCO) Secretary Dave Gomez on Tuesday filed charges against purveyors of fake online advisories amid the declaration of the state of national energy emergency due to the escalating Middle East conflict.
According to Philippines News Agency, Gomez emphasized the government's commitment to combatting the spread of false information. "Last Sunday, we issued a stern warning against anyone who would deliberately fabricate and spread fake news over the Internet to advance their personal and political interest in this time of energy emergency, that they will be held to account to the full extent of the law," Gomez stated during a media interview after filing the charges at the Department of Justice (DOJ).
The action is in response to directives from President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., as the PCO aims to enforce its warning against misinformation. Gomez announced the initiation of charges against the people behind the Facebook page 'Malasakit News Pilipinas' for their role in disseminating fake news intended to incite public panic and undermine safety.
Gomez has also requested that the DOJ investigate individuals responsible for at least three misleading posts. These posts include a fabricated 'Energy Lockdown' scam to sell solar panels, a 'Fuel Shortage' rumor intended to cause panic buying of fuel, and an invented 'Emergency Lockdown' concerning a fictitious Covid-19 Cicada variant.
The PCO chief clarified that these posts are considered "false news," punishable under Article 154 of the Revised Penal Code with imprisonment of up to six months. The penalties are heightened under the Cybercrime Prevention Act due to the online nature of the offenses.
These misleading posts were identified by the PCO Anti-Fake-News Desk, established as part of the 'Oplan Kontra Fake News' initiative launched last month. Gomez mentioned the submission of the initial investigation results to the DOJ for further probing, ensuring that perpetrators are brought to justice.
Gomez reiterated the government's zero-tolerance policy toward intentional misinformation on social media platforms, especially regarding energy security. He stressed the serious nature of any attempts to mislead the public and the necessity for accurate information.
The PCO is increasing its monitoring efforts on social media to detect and counteract disinformation campaigns, reinforcing its commitment to protecting energy supply stability, consumer rights, and the public's access to true information.
