ILOILO City – The Police Regional Office 6 (PRO-6) issued a stern warning against those concocting and spreading “fake news” inimical to public safety and peace and order.
Police Brigadier General Leo Francisco, the Western Visayas police director, recently received unconfirmed reports about missing, abducted or kidnapped persons in Iloilo City.
Those were “fake news”, he said.
The “news” was about a group of persons roaming around Iloilo City, particularly in Jaro district, and supposedly forced three women into a white van.
“We are warning whoever are spreading fake news over social media. They will be held liable criminally. Kahit fake news ‘yan we have to investigate,” Francisco told Panay News.
Probers are zeroing in on a group of persons, he revealed.
“Itong fake news ay kumalat na ‘yan sa mga previous years, paulit ulit na ‘yan,” Francisco added.
Even then, said the police director, “Sa public, be careful lang. Kasi kahit fake news ito hindi natin pwede baliwalain. Mag ingat pa rin tayo at iwasan makipag usap sa hindi kilala.”
The other day, the PRO-6 issued a safety tip to students: Don’t talk to strangers.
“Kung may mag-approach na hindi nila kilala, huwag sumama,” said Francisco.
Classes in public schools resumed on Aug. 22. Francisco detailed police officers in schools. Students, parents and teachers can seek assistance from them.
“If they are being threatened, pwede sila mag-report sa pulis,” Francisco told Panay News./PN
