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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider Cops to file raps vs. pastor for posting fake news on COVID-19

Cops to file raps vs. pastor for posting fake news on COVID-19

Published Mar 18, 2020 12:00 am
By Mike U. Crismundo BUTUAN – The Municipal Police Station (MPS) in Veruela town, Agusan del Sur province is now preparing charges against a 29-year old pastor who allegedly posted false information on his Facebook account about the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Caraga Police Regional Office 13 (PRO 13) Regional Director Brig. Gen. Joselito T. Esquivel, Jr identified the suspect as Michael P. Gumonit, a resident of Barangay Binucayan, Loreto, Agusan del Sur and pastor of International One Way Outreach Foundation Inc. Church based in the town of Veruela. The suspect allegedly posted stories about two positive cases of COVID-19 in areas of San Gabriel and Sta. Emilia in Veruela town. But upon verification, it was found that the news was completely fake and false, the region’s top police official said. He will be facing charges for violation of Article 154 of the Revised Penal Code or the "Unlawful Use of Means of Publication and Unlawful Utterances" in relation to section 6 of Republic Act 10175 or the Anti-Cybercrime Law, he said. Two days ago, the region’s top cop had warned individuals or groups not to spread false information and fake news about the COVID-19 or else face corresponding charges. “Spreading lies on social media sites would only cause panic and fear among our people. Let us be responsible in releasing information about the disease and again, we urge the public to trust only official sources like the website of the Department of Health (DOH),” Brig. Gen. Esquivel added. Meanwhile, the suspect in a radio interview of a local radio station here late Tuesday afternoon apologized to the public, especially to the officials and residents of Agusan del Sur. “Nangayo kog dakong kapasayloan sa akong nabuhat” (I asked an apology of what I did), said the pastor while asking apology in a radio broadcast.
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