Large crowd that showed up at Bulacan nat'l ID registration blamed on 'fake news'

The Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) on Friday blamed "fake news" for the large crowd that showed up Thursday at a registration area for national ID in San Jose del Monte, Bulacan.

The crowd, which exceeded the expected 1,600 registrants, prompted officials to suspend operations early for the day as social distancing measures were already difficult to implement.

Interviewed on Unang Hirit, PSA Assistant Secretary Rosalinda Bautista said "fake news" on cash distribution and the day being the last day for registration prompted throngs to swarm the registration area located inside a mall.

"Ang nangyari nagkaroon ng misinformation. May nagbalita na may magbibigay ng pera doon at huling araw na ng pagpaparehistro. Dahil doon sa mga balitang iyon, kumalat na fake news, kaya nagdagsaan ang mga tao," she said.

(There was misinformation. Somebody said cash would be given and it was already the last day for registration. Because of those fake news, people swarmed the place.)

Bautista said some 4,000 people showed up at the area.

Bautista said the PSA, together with the local government of San Jose del Monte, is already conducting an investigation to determine the source of the wrong information.

She assured the public that registration for national ID is still ongoing. She also reminded registrants that only those with appointment schedule will be accommodated in the venue.

The place and the time for the appointment schedule, Bautista said, are sent to registrants via text message.

"Ang pag-walk-in po talaga ay hindi usual practice [Walk-ins are not the usual practice]," she stressed. --KBK, GMA News