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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider Mayor decries fake news circulating that nCoV has spread to Iloilo City

Mayor decries fake news circulating that nCoV has spread to Iloilo City

Published Feb 9, 2020 12:00 am
By Martin Sadongdong Iloilo City Mayor Jerry Trenas has slammed a fake report being circulated through text messages and social media posts about the supposed spread of the 2019 novel coronavirus acute respiratory disease (2019-nCoV ARD) in the city. According to Trenas, he received a report about the text messages and Facebook posts, claiming that an owner of a known department store in Iloilo acquired the deadly respiratory disease, which the city mayor vehemently denied. Part of the message being circulated went like this, "Please do not go to Unitop because one of the owners has symptoms of nCoV." The message was written in Hiligaynon. The message likewise claimed that Trenas referred the supposed infected owner for immediate check-up, and if they failed to do so, it would mean the closure of the department store. However, in a Facebook post on Friday, Trenas denied referring anybody for check-up for possible nCoV infection. "Please know that this is not true. Please be vigilant and make sure to check with proper news sources before spreading news to avoid panic amongst our Ilonggo brothers and sisters," the city mayor said. Trenas would reportedly seek the help of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) and Philippine National Police (PNP) in the city to investigate the matter and have the source of the fake news arrested. Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra ordered, on February 4, the NBI to investigate the spread of misinformation and fake news related to the nCoV. READ MORE: Guevarra warns against spreading fake news on nCoV outbreak Meanwhile, Albert Brito, Vice President for Operation of the Unitop General Merchandise, Inc., said in a published statement that the department store remained free of nCoV. "This is to reassure our LOYAL SUKI that the management and employees of Unitop Department Store are not infected with the 2019 novel coronavirus. Unitop is strictly implementing measures ro make its store a safe place for its employees and loyal patrons," Brito said. "The Facebook and social media messages that employees or managers of Unitop are infected with the 2019 coronavirus are fake news," he added. Brito said the management has already coordinated with the authorities "to track down and bring to justice the purveyor of the fake news." READ MORE: DOH: nCoV PUIs now at 264
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