PNP nabs 32 for allegedly spreading fake news amid COVID-19 threat

A total of 32 individuals were arrested for allegedly spreading fake news amid the threat of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in the country, the Philippine National Police (PNP) said on Monday.

According to PNP spokesman Police Brigadier General Bernard Banac, 24 suspects were nabbed by personnel from the Anti-Cybercrime Group while eight others were arrested by police regional offices and the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group.

Citing information from the PNP-ACG, Banac said these individuals faced charges for violation of the Unlawful Use of Means of Publication and Unlawful Utterances under Article 154 of the Revised Penal Code as Amended in relation to Sec 4c4 (Online Libel) and Section 6 of Republic Act No. 10175, or the Anti-Cybercrime Law.

The alleged proliferators of false information were from Quezon City, Eastern Visayas, Central Visayas, CALABARZON, MIMAROPA, Western Visayas, Zamboanga Peninsula, and CARAGA Region.

Banac said from March 9 to April 5, the PNP-ACG recorded 32 complaints filed for inquest or preliminary investigation, with 17 cases already filed. He said one suspect from Zamboanga Peninsula was still at large.

"The public is urged to cooperate in taking greater steps to topple the COVID-19 pandemic, including to refrain from sharing and posting false reports that may cause panic and confusion," Banac said. — DVM, GMA News