General Archie Francisco Gamboa, chief of the Philippine National Police (PNP), denied on Tuesday allegations he hosted a retirement party in Baguio with friends.
He also maintained photos supposedly taken during the party now in circulation in social media as from "a dinner in Manila last February."
The five photos were initially captioned as photos taken during a retirement party sponsored by Gamboa at the Chief PNP Cottage at the Navy Base in Baguio City.
Gamboa condemned the spread of the photos deeming it malicious even as he warned perpetrators of legal consequences.
“The PNP warns the public and purveyors of fake news from sharing photos as there are other private individuals in the picture whose right to privacy may have been violated,” said Gamboa in a statement.
“We urge all persons who posted, shared and forwarded these images in the social media to immediately take these fake news down or face possible criminal charges under Republic Act 10175, or the Anti-Cybercrime Law,” he added.
On Saturday, text messages purportedly coming from residents of Baguio went viral in social media citing Gamboa for hosting the party in violation of quarantine protocols.
The party was branded in social media as ‘Mañanita 2.0’, in reference to the birthday party held by Metro Manila police chief Maj. Gen. Debold Sinas last May in Taguig City.
Sinas’ mañanita was controversial as it was backed by photos posted by the Public Information Office staff of the Metro Manila police chief.