Palace denies social media rumors Duterte will quarantine Philippines

Malacañang on Sunday said there was no truth to rumors circulating on social media that President Rodrigo Duterte will impose a nationwide lockdown next week to address the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) threat in the Philippines.

“Absolutely not true. Stop believing false news and information,” President spokesperson Salvador Panelo said as tweeted by Joseph Morong.

If you’ve come across this post, Palace says it’s not true. Pres’l Spox Salvador Panelo: “Absolutely not true. Stop believing false news and information.” IATF Task Force Spox Sec. Karlo Nograles says it’s fake news @gmanews pic.twitter.com/A4kL3wZjc1

— Joseph Morong ???????? (@Joseph_Morong) March 22, 2020

The false advisory claimed that the Palace would announce a nationwide lockdown next week, including all wet markets, to stop people from going out of their homes.

It also said food would be rationed every three days and advised the public to stock up food for two weeks.

Cabinet Secretary Karlo Nograles, likewise, said it is fake news.

As of Sunday, the Philippines has confirmed a total of 380 cases with 25 deaths.

Last March 16, Duterte already implemented an enhanced community quarantine over Luzon that will last until April 13.

He also placed the entire country under state of calamity, allowing the government to tap more funds to contain the spread of the virus. — Ma. Angelica Garcia/BM, GMA News