The Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) has warned unscrupulous persons who tarnish the image of the agency through fake information posted in social media accounts.
In a statement posted Sunday night, April 11, BuCor said it will not hesitate to invoke and apply the full force of the law against “these evil elements.”
It also said it has decided to offer rewards to persons who can pinpoint those who spread fake information against the agency.
It said BuCor employees and personnel of the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) and their friends have voluntarily contributed to put up funds for the rewards.
“Napag-alaman ng Bureau of Corrections - Public Information Office (BuCor - PIO) na mayroong mga social media accounts na nagpapakalat ng mga malisosyo at baluktot na impormasyon para siraan ang ating ahensya (The BuCor-PIO has learned that there are social media accounts which have been spreading wrong and twisted information meant to tarnish the name of the agency),” the BuCor said.
“Base sa mga reports, ang mga nasabing fake news ay tahasang dinudungisan ang mga magagandang layunin at reporma na pinaghihirapang ipatupad ng ating mga kawani at empleyado (Based on the reports, the fake news outrightly smear the good objectives and reforms that BuCor personnel worked hard to implement),” it said.
Because of this, the BuCor asked the public to report to the agency any information that would help identify those behind these social media accounts.
“Siya po ay mabibigyan ng malaking pabuya mula sa inipon na mga kusang loob na kontribusyon ng mga nag mamalasakit na mga kaibigan at kawani ng BuCor at BJMP (They will be given rewards that will be given by friends and personnel of the BuCor and the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology who voluntarily decided to contribute for the funds),” it also said.
It pointed out that “ang mga mapanirang social media accounts na ito ay pinata takbo ng mga duwag at ng mga taong walang ibang iniisip kundi ang kanilang mga pansariling interes lamang (those running the damaging social media accounts are cowardice and only care for their self interest).”
“Tulad ng masigasig nating pagse-serbisyo publiko sa pamahalaan, makasisiguro kayong hindi magdadalawang isip ang pamunuan ng BuCor-PIO na gamitin ang buong pwersa ng batas upang mapigil ang mga masasamang-loob na ito (Like our dedication to serve the public, we assure you that BuCor-PIO will not hesitate to use the full force of the law to stop these evil elements),” it stressed.
“Sa ngayon ay pinag-aaralan nang mabuti ang ating mga susunod na legal na hakbang pati na rin ang pakikipag-coordinate sa mga anti-cyber crime groups ng mga law enforcement agencies upang mahuli na at hindi na makapang-biktimang muli ang mga nasabing tao sa likod nito (In the meantime we are studying carefully our next legal steps including coordinating with anti-cyber crime groups of law enforcement agencies to finally arrest and stop them),” it added.
Last Friday, April 9, BuCor has warned the public against persons impersonating as its senior officers and soliciting contributions for future programs and events.
In an advisory, BuCor said the impersonators are calling the bureau’s partners or suppliers.
“We would like to inform the public that BuCor has not authorized any individual to conduct such activity especially using the name of the BuCor officials,” the advisory stated.
“Should anyone encounter such transactions of the same manner, kindly report immediately to Bureau of Corrections through Telephone No. 8478-3597; Smart: 09186001081; Globe: 09178192803; or Email us at [email protected],” it said.