Netizens urged to use social media responsibly as more people probed for posting poll-related fake news

The Philippine National Police (PNP) warned netizens against using the social media in attacking and spreading disinformation drive against candidates for the national and local elections.

PNP Anti-Cybercrime Group (ACG) spokesperson Lt. Wallen Mae Arancillo said that even netizens who use fake accounts could be identified through some strategies and measures with the assistance of the court.

She said one of them is under investigation while three others are for regular filing in the prosecutor’s office.

Arancillo said the complaints for the four cases that were already filed in court were from Ilocos Region, Western Visayas, Northern Mindanao and Caraga region where two mayors, one board member and a barangay captain were the victims,

The complaints involved threats and other allegations which the official said could be considered as defamatory.

“The accounts they used were fake so we applied for cyber warrants in courts to determine the real identity of these people and prove that they were the ones who indeed posted the defamatory contents,” said Arancillo.

The official then urged the public to refrain from posting unverified information in order for them to be spared from any legal troubles, especially on the days leading to the elections, including the start of the campaign period for local candidates.

“We have been monitoring, cyber-patrolling so to those who are posting fake news and misinformation, always remember that these are prohibited by the laws and with fines and imprisonment,” said Arancillo.