By Dean Aubrey Caratiquet
As part of an intensified campaign against the spread of falsehoods that continue to undermine the integrity of the government and pose a threat to national security, PCO’s Anti-Fake News Desk has lodged a complaint against 3 Facebook accounts that sow seeds of disinformation online.
These social media accounts were tagged by the Presidential Communications Office (PCO) in a narrative submitted to the Department of Justice (DOJ) on Wednesday for fabricating information about the health condition of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.
In an impromptu briefing late Monday, the President himself called out those who produce misleading claims about his well-being, even sharing further details about his health after a diverticulitis scare earlier this year.
Chief among the Facebook accounts flagged by the government’s communications arm was “Iloy Bugris: The Queen of Revelations,” which conducted live broadcasts claiming that the President was seriously ill.
The account also allegedly solicited money from viewers through GCash and BPI account details pinned on screen while doing ‘live,’ and presented a purported medical document which PCO said was fabricated.
Another account, “Rigondola Ping,” was cited for posting manipulated images depicting the President in a distressed physical condition. The PCO said the images were altered and did not reflect any real event.
A third account, “Crage Anderpal,” allegedly published a graphic claiming an official confirmation of a serious health condition of the President.
Earlier, the PCO signed a pact with the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) and DOJ to foster deeper coordination in prosecuting those behind spreading fake news online.
Propagation of false information is an offense punishable under Article 154 of the Revised Penal Code and the Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012.
After receiving the complaint submitted by PCO, the DOJ will endorse it to the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) for further action on this matter.
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