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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider 'Abuso na': PNP starts hunt vs purveyors of oil price-related disinformation on social media

'Abuso na': PNP starts hunt vs purveyors of oil price-related disinformation on social media

Published Apr 6, 2026 02:25 pm
Cybercrime agents of the Philippine National Police (PNP) have stepped up the monitoring of social media on energy‑related disinformation amid the series of oil price hikes in the past weeks.
PNP chief Gen. Jose Melencio C. Nartatez, Jr. said the intensified campaign against the attempt to exploit the Middle East crisis is intended to support the national government’s efforts to hold accountable those involved in deliberately sharing fake news.
“The situation in the Middle East is a serious matter and any attempt to exploit it to trigger unwarranted panic among our kababayan must be addressed and dealt with. We will not allow this,” said Nartatez.
“We are intensifying efforts to combat the spread of fake news and even reports of deliberate attempts to mislead the public on the status of the Middle East conflict in terms of oil supply and its economic impact that could trigger unwarranted panic among the public,” he added.
The Presidential Communications Office (PCO) earlier warned the public against spreading fake news related to the current energy crisis amid the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.
It stressed that any attempt to mislead the public about energy security, supply, or pricing to sow confusion will be treated as a serious offense.
Nartatez explained that disinformation about energy security, supply, and pricing can mislead communities and erode public confidence.
He said the Anti‑Cybercrime Group was already tasked to intensify monitoring of pages and accounts that are being used for disinformation drive.
Nartatez said criminal charges will be filed against individuals found responsible for spreading harmful disinformation, adding that local police units are now using their social media accounts to counter fake news.
He explained that this strategy is aimed at swiftly discrediting false reports and preventing their spread online.
Nartatez also reminded the public to be responsible in what they see particularly on social media.

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PNP fake news Middle East CYBERCRIME
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