IN a move to combat misinformation, Presidential Communications Office (PCO) Secretary Dave Gomez officially filed cyberlibel charges on Tuesday against the administrators of the Facebook page “Malasakit News Pilipinas.”
This action follows through on a previous threat from Malacañang to address the proliferation of fake news. The page had published reports claiming the government was preparing to impose an emergency lockdown, a narrative the PCO asserts was fabricated with the intent to cause public panic and confusion.
Appearing before the Department of Justice (DOJ), Secretary Gomez presented evidence of several fake news posts from the “Malasakit News Pilipinas” page.
He urged the DOJ to investigate these posts, identify the individuals responsible, and prosecute them on behalf of the Filipino people for the harm caused. Among the alleged fake news items were claims of an impending “energy lockdown” due to a supposed “fuel shortage.” Malacañang believes these reports were deliberately spread to mislead the public into purchasing solar panels and hoarding essential fuels like gasoline, diesel, and LPG.
The PCO also requested an investigation into other false claims disseminated by the page, including rumors of an emergency lockdown triggered by a COVID-19 “Cicada variant.” The Department of Health (DOH) has reportedly monitored no such variant in the country, further highlighting the fabricated nature of these reports. By taking legal action, the government aims to hold accountable those who exploit social media platforms to spread disinformation, thereby undermining public welfare and safety.
The filing of these cyberlibel charges underscores the administration’s commitment to combating fake news and protecting the public from malicious disinformation campaigns. The PCO’s action sends a strong message that spreading false information, especially during times of heightened public concern, will be met with legal consequences. The investigation by the DOJ is expected to shed light on the perpetrators behind “Malasakit News Pilipinas” and reinforce the importance of media literacy and responsible information sharing.
