Manila Bulletin
2 charged in Cebu for posting fake news on FB
An optometrist in Mandaue City, Cebu, identified as Josephil Brian Consuelo, was arrested on February 13, 2020, for allegedly spreading fake news about COVID-19 on Facebook.
Consuelo's post falsely claimed that a patient under observation had died at the University of Cebu Medical Center.
The Philippine National Police (PNP) Anti-Cybercrime Group VII confirmed the information was untrue after fact-checking.
No patients under observation in Cebu have died, and there are a total of 55 patients under investigation for the virus in the Central Visayas, according to the Department of Health.
Charges have been formally filed against Consuelo for violating Article 154 of the Revised Penal Code and the Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012, though he remains at-large.
In a separate incident, a 21-year-old man was arrested and charged for posting a fake kidnapping incident on Facebook in Danao City, Cebu.
The PNP vowed to continue hunting individuals spreading misinformation about diseases and urged the public to avoid posting unverified information to prevent panic.
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The Philippine National Police (PNP) is intensifying its campaign against individuals spreading fake news on social media, particularly concerning the COVID-19 outbreak.
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The Provincial Health Office (PHO) of Bulacan is urging residents to stop spreading misinformation about COVID-19 to prevent panic.
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