MANILA — Acting Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Police Lt. Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez, Jr. has ordered the Anti-Cybercrime Group to intensify online monitoring to identify content creators spreading false claims as groups hold assemblies in Metro Manila.
In a statement Sunday, Nartatez said the directive aims to prevent misinformation from stirring public disorder, emphasizing that freedom of speech does not include the creation or spread of fabricated content.
“We respect the freedom of speech and the freedom to air grievances but these do not include false claims and fake content,” he stressed.
Nartatez said that the PNP has detected several online posts falsely claiming a supposed crowd build-up and imminent disorder on Mendiola Street, a common protest area because of its proximity to the presidential palace..
“Our ground units have verified repeatedly that there is no such situation,” he said.
According to the acting PNP chief, some accounts appear to be intentionally spreading exaggerated claims to incite fear ahead of the rallies.
“Our monitoring indicates that some of these accounts are intentionally exaggerating the situation to create unnecessary fear. Hindi po natin minamaliit ang ganitong online manipulation because it can translate to real-world panic or mobilization,” he noted.
The PNP is validating indicators of possible coordinated activity, including bot-generated posts.
Nartatez also disclosed that several accounts with a history of spreading...
The prosecution has requested a prison sentence for a YouTuber charged with spreading rumors about SK Group Chairman Chey Tae-won and Kim Hee-young, director of the T&C Foundation. On the 17th...