'May pasok sa kulungan?': PNP probes into fake 'walang pasok' social media posts for June 8 class opening
Gen. Jose Melencio C. Nartatez, Jr. chief of the Philippine National Police (PNP), has ordered the operation to identify and arrest the person or individuals behind fake social media posts falsely claiming the postponement of the opening of classes on June 8.
Nartatez emphasized the need for accountability and swift action, noting that this may be repeated at the span of the school year.
By running after those responsible, police said it will send a strong message that spreading of fake news and other misinformation comes with a price that include jail terms.
“The PNP condemns the spread of false information that causes confusion among students, parents, and the public. We remind everyone to verify announcements through official government channels before sharing them online,” said Nartatez.
Earlier, the Department of Education (DepEd) earlier flagged a fake social media post that incorrectly announced the suspension of the opening of classes on June 8, saying that no such declaration had been issued and urged the public to rely only on its official communication channels.
Nartatez said he already directed the Anti-Cybercrime Group to validate the incident and determine the source of the misleading post, “Those found responsible may face appropriate legal consequences under existing laws.
Police regional offices and local police units have likewise been directed to monitor the spread of the misinformation within their respective areas.
Meanwhile, Nartatez urged the public to exercise caution when consuming and sharing information online, especially announcements that directly affect schools and communities.
“We urge parents, students, and the public to rely only on official announcements from DepEd and other authorized government agencies. If they encounter suspicious posts, they should refrain from sharing them and report them to the proper authorities,” he said.
“Combating online misinformation remains part of its broader efforts to protect the public from deceptive content that can disrupt daily activities and undermine trust in legitimate government advisories,” Nartatez added.