BACOLOD CITY – The city government is eyeing charges against fake news peddlers on social media.

BENITEZ (Glazyl Masculino)
In a media interview on Saturday, August 17, Mayor Albee Benitez said that he has asked the City Legal Office to study the cases that can be filed against them as disinformation creates panic and alarm to the general public.
Benitez believes that fake news peddlers should be properly penalized just like those who also spread fake news or pranks.
“When you spread fake news on digital platform, it can no longer be erased. It will always be there because there’s digital footprint, wherein the origin and the people involved in it can be traced,” Benitez said.
Benitez appealed to the people to stop spreading fake news or anything that is not true to avoid creating panic and alarm to the public.
The mayor called on the Bacolod City Police Office to intensify their presence especially in public areas in this city as the opening of classes gives an opportunity for people with evil and twisted intentions to have targets.
Benitez warned criminals in Bacolod. “We will not to stop until the law catches you," he said.
He called on parents to closely monitor their children, especially those going to school, as they are far from the protection of their homes.
Benitez said that school authorities should prioritize the security of their students and encouraged them to install closed-circuit television (CCTV) as part of their security protocols.
The public expressed concern over viral social media posts on Thursday night, August 15, about a black van without license plate allegedly abducting students here.
The BCPO acknowledged these concerns but said that no substantial evidence supports these claims.
Lawmen urged the public to avoid spreading unverified information that could cause undue alarm in the community. People were reminded to vigilant and report any suspicious activities or persons to authorities.
The BCPO has also increased visibility and patrols in key areas to reassure the public of their dedication to maintaining peace and order.