Belmonte slams ‘fake news’ that drove crowds to COVID vaccination center

Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte on Sunday slammed the "fake news" that walk-ins were allowed at a COVID-19 mega vaccination center, which brought crowds out to the site in Araneta Coliseum earlier that day.

"Some shameless individuals still continue to instigate these situations by spreading fake news on social media. These online saboteurs typically urge the public to line up outside vaccine sites for 'walk-in accommodations,'" she said in a statement.

"I would like to make the following requests: to those spreading this fake news (for whatever malicious reason), makonsensya naman kayo. You are literally endangering the lives of countless men, women, and children," Belmonte added.

According to a report on "24 Oras Weekend," minimum health protocols were not followed due to the huge influx of people at the site.

"Akala kasi ng mga tao na puwede ang walk-in dahil may mga nagpost po na puwede raw po. Hindi po nila naiintindihan kung ano po ang difference ng walk-in sa quick substitution list," Margarita Santos, a member of the Task Force Vax to Normal, said.

[They thought that walk-ins were allowed because somebody posted saying so. they don't understand the difference between walk-in and the quick substitution list.]

Authorities said several individuals posted the wrong information on Facebook.

Belmonte clarified that the city government is not allowing walk-ins in its inoculation sites.

She also warned that those who spread fake news could face charges for violation of the cybercrime law, reckless endangerment, and unjust vexation.

"Kung hindi kayo madadala sa pakiusap, kaso ng reckless endangerment, violation ng Cybercrime Law, at unjust vexation ang ihaharap namin sa inyo [If you cannot be swayed by persuasion, you will be charged with reckless endangerment, violation of the Cybercrime Law, and unjust vexation]. To this end, I would like to appeal to our national law enforcement agencies to investigate these posts, and file the necessary charges," Belmonte said.

Meanwhile, Philippine National Police chief Guillermo Eleazar said they will investigate the matter.

"Tinawagan ko na rin ang ating cybercrime group para magsagawa ng imbestigasyon na naulit na naman na 'yong ating mga kababayan nakakakuha sila ng maling impormasyon," he said.

[I have called on our cybercrime group to investigate this reoccurrence of the public getting the wrong information.] — Ma. Angelica Garcia/BM, GMA News