Zamboanga City denies Facebook page that used official seal, posted bogus updates

The Zamboanga City government on Wednesday evening disowned a Facebook account that used its seal and claimed to offer news updates from the city.

 

In a post on its Twitter account, the city government made clear it does not man the Facebook page "Zamboanga City News Update."

 

The city government made the clarification shortly after the Facebook page claimed President Benigno Aquino III was going to the city Wednesday night.

 

"This account on FB is not manned by the City Government of Zamboanga. It is not our official page. FYI," it said.

 

According to the "News Update" Facebook page, Aquino was to arrive at Edwin Andrews air base at 7 p.m.

 

The Facebook page in question appeared to be created only last Monday. Its "About" section read, "News updated Zamboanga City!"

 

"(President Aquino) is not in Zamboanga tonight," the city government said on its Twitter account in response to queries from netizens about Aquino's supposed visit there.

 

However, the Facebook page changed its profile picture and removed the city government's seal after the city government warned the public about it on Twitter.

 

Zamboanga City had been affected by a standoff between government and Moro National Liberation Front troops that started last Monday.

 

Much of the city was virtually shut down as MNLF forces continued to hold civilian hostages in parts of the city.  — ELR, GMA News