Bacolod Mayor Alfredo Abelardo Benitez and the Bacolod police called on the public on Friday, August 16, to stop spreading fake news that is causing undue alarm.
“Stop spreading fake news or anything that is not true to avoid creating panic and alarm to the general public,” Benitez said.
Doing this is counter-productive, and will just cause unnecessary harm to some people, he said.
The city government and police are studying the filing of charges against those spreading fake news for violation of the Cyber Crime Law, Benitez and PCol. Joeresty Coronica, Bacolod police director, said.
Among the fake news circulating on social media is a photo of a black city government van with a warning to the public not to ride in it if they don’t want a free ride to heaven, which was fueling the kidnapping scare.
The city government van with a “Libre Sakay” sign on it was actually ferrying stranded passengers during a transportation strike on Thursday.
Coronica said they already have the identities of those spreading the fake news.
The Bacolod City Police Office (BCPO) in a statement Friday denied reports circulating on social media of alleged robbery and kidnapping attempts in various areas of Bacolod City.
“We understand the concern these reports have generated among our residents, and we wish to clarify the situation to prevent unnecessary panic and fear,” it said.
After thorough investigation and verification, the BCPO said it has found no substantial evidence to support such claims.
These reports are unsubstantiated or based on misinformation, the BCPO said.
The BCPO urged the public to avoid spreading unverified information that could cause undue alarm in the community.
“Misinformation, especially when disseminated through social media, can escalate quickly and create unnecessary fear, which may disrupt the peace and order of our city,” the BCPO said.
Coronica urged the public to report any suspicious activities directly to the nearest police station or through their official communication channels.
“This will allow us to respond swiftly and appropriately to any genuine threats” he said.
“Rest assured that the BCPO is committed to ensuring the safety and security of all Bacolod City residents. We have increased patrols and visibility in key areas to further reassure the public of our dedication to maintaining peace and order,” he said.
For further inquiries or to report any concerns, the public may contact the Bacolod police at 0907 278 0149 / 09985987459 or visit their official Facebook page at Bacolod City Police Office and Pio Bcpo, the statement said.*