PNP chief Gen. Archie Gamboa yesterday said they have yet to gather evidence to show that the duplication of the accounts of Facebook users, mostly of university students, officials and alumni, is related to the proposed anti-terrorism law or any political destabilization moves.
During the Laging Handa press briefing, Gamboa said the PNP Anti-Cybercrime Group, in coordination with the Department of Justice and the National Bureau of Investigation, is already looking into the proliferation of the multiple dummy Facebook accounts.
Gamboa urged the people or groups behind the move to stop as he warned that criminal charges will be filed against them once their identities are determined.
“It’s not worth it if you want to sow confusion, it’s not worth the risk. Once you are charged, you are not going to be happy because the full force of the law will be after you,” Gamboa said.
Gamboa said police investigators are still trying to establish if the duplication of the Facebook accounts has something to do with the anti-terror bill and so-called political destabilization moves by government critics.
Sectors opposed to the bill have accused the government as behind the creation of the dummy accounts, but bill proponents said groups against the enactment of the measure were behind the illegal activity to instill fear among the public.
“We still have to find out the connection because it’s hard to conclude without appropriate basis,” said Gamboa, responding to a question if the incident is related to the anti-terror bill or political destabilization.
“But once we can get those who created the (dummy) Facebook accounts, then we can have our conclusions. But as of yet, we still don’t have a definite connection to destabilize government,” he added.
Gamboa reiterated his appeal to groups opposed to the bill not to resort to mass gathering to protest, noting the continuing community quarantine protocols.
Gamboa said recent PNP arrest of protesters were made after the protesters refused to heed police appeals to disperse.
Gamboa said that while people are free to express their opinion, they should refrain from holding street protests because of the continuing threat of the highly-infectious novel coronavirus.
“Please do it the other way around,” said Gamboa, noting that quarantine protocols discourages mass gathering and observance of physical distancing… I hope everybody will understand,” Gamboa said.