By Arabella Asis
The Philippine National Police (PNP) on Monday, April 10 reminded the public to verify the information first before sharing it with others as it could potentially raise panic within the community.
“We understand the potential damage and alarm that can be caused by false news and misinformation, particularly when shared widely on social media platforms,” PNP Officer-in-Charge PLt. Gen. Rhodel Sermonia said.
“As such, we appeal to all members of the public to ensure that the information they receive is verified before sharing it with others,” Sermonia added.
This as recently, there have been alleged crime incidents circulating on social media involving a known coffee shop, a Japanese restaurant, and a Chinese restaurant.
During the investigation, it was revealed that the incident at the Japanese restaurant happened four years ago.
Meanwhile, allegations about two other establishments were proven to be false.
Sermonia assured that the PNP will work with its Anti-Cybercrime Group to further investigate and avoid spreading misinformation.
“We will continuously monitor incidents and reports in real-time, as well as through online platforms, to proactively respond to these situations,” he added.
PNP also appealed to the public to use social media responsibly and to report suspicious incidents. — gb
