By Edwin Fernandez/PNA
COTABATO CITY – The Cotabato City Police Office (CCPO) has dismissed as “fake news” circulating on social media that the city will impose a total lockdown amid reports of possible terrorist activities in the city.
“The city is safe and everything is normal except for those who are spreading information aimed at sowing fear,” said Senior Supt. Rolly Octavio, city police director Monday.
Octavio issued the call after what he described as a “disinformation campaign by some groups” following the New Year’s Eve bombing here that killed two and wounded scores of others.
“Ignore false information, don’t pass fake news,” Octavio said, as he called on the public to refrain from sharing unverified information on social media information that may only trigger panic among city residents.
Among the messages circulating in the social media was the alleged plot by Islamic State-linked groups, such as the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters and Daulah Islamiyah–a terrorist group associated with the notorious Maute Group–to attack Cotabato City.
Education officials were also compelled to issue a clarification Monday that no order for suspension of classes has been issued because of a supposed impending peace rally in support of the Bangsamoro Organic Law in the city.
Dr. Concepcion Balawag, Cotabato City schools’ division superintendent, said parents should instead ensure that their children attend classes because the periodic examination is fast approaching.
