By Armando Fenequito Jr.
DAVAO CITY -- The Regional Anti-Cyber Crime Unit 11 and the Davao City Police Office (DCPO) Cyber Response Team has arrested a netizen for allegedly disclosing the names of suspected coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients in social media.
The Police Regional Office (PRO) 11 identified the suspect as Vicente Cañonera who was arrested about 3:40 p.m. April 5 in BarangayCabantian, Buhangin District.
PRO 11 report bared Cañonera posted in Facebook Pages named Deca Homeowners and Neighborhood Association, Inc and Barangay Cabantian of Davao Concern Citizen, a lists of names of allegedly COVID-19 positive patients for the purported purpose of contact tracing.
The suspect is now under the custody of DCPO and will face charges for violation of Republic Act . 11332 Law on Reporting of Communicable Diseases), RA 10173 or the Data Privacy Act and RA 11469 Bayanihan to Heal as One Act. .
PRO 11 regional director Brig. Gen. Filmore Escobal said the operation should serve as a warning that people should be responsible in what they are posting in their social media accounts.
"Keep in mind that the PNP can track down those who make posts of unverified information that might endanger the privacy of individual and caused panic to the public. It is during this times that all should," Escobal said.