By Christina Hermoso Lipa Archbishop Gilbert Garcera has appealed to netizens “to stop spreading fake news” on social media amid the crisis caused by the Taal volcano eruption. Archbishop Gilbert A. Garcera (
San Sebastian Cathedral Lipa City - Archdiocese of Lipa/MANILA BULLETIN FILE PHOTO) “Let us get information from credible sources because many fake news are coming out,” Garcera said in his homily during a holy mass for volunteers at the church’s command center in the city. The Church leader lamented the spread of fake news, which gives a false depiction of the situation and causes confusion, he said. In a Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines News post, Garcera cited as false information the online rumor of an alleged car crash in the town of Agoncillo that claimed 21 lives. There was also a post that uses his name to solicit donations through a bogus bank account. “Our Social Action Commission is the only recognized entity that accepts donations for calamity victims,” he said. The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) earlier, denied social media posts that Alert Level 5, signifying that a “hazardous explosive eruption” was in progress had been raised over Taal Volcano, the agency clarified that the volcano, which experienced a phreatic eruption on Sunday, was still under Alert Level 4. Several churches in Batangas have been converted into temporary evacuation centers. Aside from relief goods, the archdiocese has also been providing psychological support to the victims. arcera thanked the volunteers, mostly young individuals, who are helping the thousands displaced by the eruption. “Faith is service to our fellowmen. You receive faith, you share faith. Let us make this a moment of faith,” the archbishop said. Holy masses will also be held in all evacuation centers in Batangas this Saturday. “Aside from water and food that the government provides, what the Church can also give is the strengthening of faith,” Garcera said.