THE PNP yesterday cautioned the public against spreading fake news on social media about police and military generals supposedly urging President Marcos Jr to resign.
In a press briefing at Camp Crame, PNP spokeswoman Col. Jean Fajardo said PNP chief Gen. Benjamin Acorda Jr has ordered intensified cyber patrolling to identify the people behind the false information.
A video, captioned “Good News!AFP PNP GENERALS CONVINCING PBBM to RESIGN?” flashed the pictures of Marcos, Acorda, and Armed Forces chief Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr.
“We saw on social media pictures of our Chief PNP, CSAFP (Chief of Staff, AFP), together with our President with caption AFP, PNP generals convincing PBB to resign,” said Fajardo.
It was alleged in the video that the President’s sister, Sen. Imee Marcos, was also urging his brother to resign to avoid bloodshed.
“We are appealing to our countrymen to be careful in posting and sharing unverified information through our respective social media accounts,” said Fajardo.
“We should be responsible because we can be charged for spreading unverified (information) or fake news,” she added.
Fajardo said people found spreading fake news can be held liable under Article 154 of the Revised Penal Code in relation to Republic Act 10175 or Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012.
Article 154 says the penalty for unlawful use of means of publication and unlawful utterance is arresto mayor and a fine ranging from P200 to P1,000.
“To the spreader of fake news, we are monitoring you… We will file appropriate charges once we identify those who are spreading this kind of fake news,” said Fajardo.
Fajardo said the social media “does not guarantee us the right or freedom to violate any law of the law.”
“If we see there is a violation of law then your PNP will file appropriate charges against those spreading unverified and fake news,” she said.
Fajardo said the public should not believe videos and posts on social media, especially if they are certain of their sources or origin.
“If we see and after review if we see there is a violation of law then your PNP will file appropriate charges against those spreading unverified and fake news.
Fajardo reiterated that the PNP has not monitored any efforts to destabilize the Marcos administration.
She said while retired officers have expressed sentiments against the government, they should spare the police force from their opinions.
“We want to assure the public that the PNP remains apolitical, intact, solid and professional… We will always uphold the Constitution, obey legal orders of the duly-constituted authorities,” said Fajardo.
