By Aaron Recuenco A town mayor in Cavite, who allegedly used a fake Facebook account to attack political opponents, was hit with a string of criminal charges for reportedly spreading fake news about COVID-19. Aside from Noveleta Mayor Dino Reyes Chua, two journalists were also included in the charge sheet for alledgedly publishing fraudulent reports and stories on the fake social media account of the local chief executive. They were identified as Mario Batuigas, owner of the Latigo New TV and Amor Virata, video blogger and reporter. Brig. Gen. Bernard Banac, spokesman of the Philippine National Police (PNP), said the cases stemmed from the complaint lodged by the local government of Cavity City before the regional unit of the PNP-Anti-Cybercrime Group (ACG). Based on the complaint, Chua allegedly spread fake reports about COVID-19 cases in Cavite City which, the report said, caused panic among residents. Using a Facebook account under the name Maggie Bernal, Chua allegedly shared false reports about a COVID-19-positive patient who died at the Cavite Medical Center early this month. The same account apparently also posted 10 photos of Persons Under Investigation (PUI) of Cavite City. “The account also accused the local government of Cavite City of not being transparent to the public in sharing the information,” said Banac in a statement. The local government debunked the claims of the account, however, and proved the information is false based on the fact-checking of the Rural Health Unit of Cavite City, Banac added. The photo that was posted on the alleged fake account was published, meanwhile, in an online news website, dragging the two newsmen into the charge. During verification, Banac said the COVID-19 patient in question turned out to be from Makati City. Further verification, according to Banac, also disclosed that the ‘troll account’ named as Maggie Bernal was originally named Angela Mae de Guzman and was created by Chua in 2010. The account was allegedly used to attack their political opponents and sow intrigues. The official said the information was disclosed and vouched for by the former administrator of the alleged troll account. Among the cases filed were violations of the Section 6f of RA 11469/ Bayanihan to Heal As One Act, Article 154 or Unlawful Use of Means of Publication and Unlawful Utterances, Section 4c4, of Republic ARA 1075 or Online Libel, Section 9b of RA. 11332 or the “Mandatory Reporting of Notifiable Diseases and Health Events of Public Health Concern Act”, Article 14 (Crime committed on the occasion of a conflagration, shipwreck, earthquake, epidemic or other calamity or misfortune) in relation to Presidential Proclamation Number 922 and 929; and Sec 25b, RA 10173 (Data Privacy Act).