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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider PNP steps up drive vs misinformation to incite violence after Senate gunfire incident

PNP steps up drive vs misinformation to incite violence after Senate gunfire incident

Published May 18, 2026 03:01 pm

At A Glance

  • PNP chief Gen. Jose Melencio C. Nartatez, Jr. they are treating the situation with urgency as authorities monitor online activities that could threaten public safety and national security.
  • PNP Anti-Cybercrime Group is now coordinating closely with the DICT and intelligence units to validate flagged online posts and identify individuals behind the accounts.
Anti-cybercrime agents of the Philippine National Police (PNP) has stepped up the efforts to monitor social media and other online platforms amid reports of some content creators inciting violence in the wake of the recent chaos at the Senate.
PNP chief Gen. Jose Melencio C. Nartatez, Jr. they are treating the situation with urgency as authorities monitor online activities that could threaten public safety and national security. 
The Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) earlier disclosed that at least five persons of interest were identified as persons of interest for allegedly spreading false information and inciting violence on social media following the gunfire incident at the Senate last week.
It said some online posts were encouraging people to go to the Senate and create chaos through misinformation.
“We view these online threats and attempts to incite violence with the utmost seriousness, and we will hold accountable those behind these irresponsible posts and contents. This is not the time for misinformation or exploiting a volatile situation to sow fear and breach public order,” Nartatez said.
Nartatez said the PNP Anti-Cybercrime Group is now coordinating closely with the DICT and intelligence units to validate flagged online posts and identify individuals behind the accounts.
“The PNP Anti-Cybercrime Group has already shifted to a heightened cyber-patrol posture and is working hand-in-hand with the DICT to actively track down, unmask, and hold accountable these digital threat actors,” said Nartatez.
“We will not allow social media platforms to be weaponized against national security,” he added. He said regional and local police units were also directed to heighten alertness around government institutions and areas where public gatherings are expected, adding that police commanders were also tasked to remain vigilant against any possible spillover from online threats into actual incidents on the ground.

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