The Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) has urged the public to stop spreading false and inaccurate information on the COVID-19 threat, following the social media postings on the alleged lockdown declaration in some parts of the country.
DILG USec. Jonathan Malaya has insisted that misinformation has caused the public to engage in panic buying alcohol, face masks, and other materials used in countering COVID-19.
“Huwag po sana natin ikalat ang rumors about lock down na, kesyo ganito na (We should not spread rumors that we are on lockdown). May proseso po tayo na susundin (We have a procedures to follow) and it will be based on facts, evidence. Sa ngayon (For now) we only have 49, baka tumaas na naman (which may get higher) but we are very far from Italy that has 10k cases. We are very far from China that has more,” Malaya said.
“Kaya wala pa po tayo sa (That’s why we have not yet reached) sustained community transmission which would require a lockdown,” he added.
A post regarding an alleged memorandum in the Philippine National Police (PNP) on Metro Manila lockdown has also gone viral, but the PNP claims they did not issue the directive and the NDRRMC alone can release such an order.
The health department was not also spared by rumors that falsely claimed one of their staff have tested positive of COVID-19.
Malaya warned that they have ordered the PNP Anti-Cybercrime Group to hunt down the perpetrators of fake news and impose punishments. – Report from Allan Francisco
