CEBU CITY – Police are investigating a Facebook user who allegedly claimed in his post that some hotels in Cebu have quarantined Korean nationals due to the Wuhan coronavirus after arriving from Daegu City in North Gyeongsang province of South Korea.
The post listed 10 hotels where the Koreans are quarantined and told warned the public not to go there. The post was false, according to authorities. The Facebook account, which was eventually taken down, is believed to be spurious.
The fake news only caused panic and fear among locals.
The Hotel, Resort and Restaurant Association of Cebu also released a statement saying that it was ready to press charges against the Facebook user for maliciously spreading news via social media that their establishments were not safe for occupancy due to the viral scare.
“There is no truth to the rumor that these Koreans are already afflicted and may infect others,” it said, adding the Department of Health has been updating them about the disease.
Colonel Marlou Castillo, chief of the Philippine National Police - Regional Anti-Cybercrime Unit, said investigation is going on to determine who was responsible for the false news.
Castillo said they will not hesitate to file charges for violation of the Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012 if they find enough evidence against the Facebook user.
“In the event that we can gather any material or evidence na makuha sa kanila, we will not hesitate to file a case against them,” Castillo said.
Last month, police arrested an optometrist in Mandaue City for allegedly spreading false information that a patient had died from the coronavirus in a private hospital.
“We remind the public to refrain from posting any malicious or misinformation. We had our stories here last week where we filed a case and we are waiting for the warrant of arrest,” Castillo said, adding, fake news and wrong information could cause panic and hysteria. (John Rey Saavedra)
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The post listed 10 hotels where the Koreans are quarantined and told warned the public not to go there. The post was false, according to authorities. The Facebook account, which was eventually taken down, is believed to be spurious.
The fake news only caused panic and fear among locals.
The Hotel, Resort and Restaurant Association of Cebu also released a statement saying that it was ready to press charges against the Facebook user for maliciously spreading news via social media that their establishments were not safe for occupancy due to the viral scare.
“There is no truth to the rumor that these Koreans are already afflicted and may infect others,” it said, adding the Department of Health has been updating them about the disease.
Colonel Marlou Castillo, chief of the Philippine National Police - Regional Anti-Cybercrime Unit, said investigation is going on to determine who was responsible for the false news.
Castillo said they will not hesitate to file charges for violation of the Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012 if they find enough evidence against the Facebook user.
“In the event that we can gather any material or evidence na makuha sa kanila, we will not hesitate to file a case against them,” Castillo said.
Last month, police arrested an optometrist in Mandaue City for allegedly spreading false information that a patient had died from the coronavirus in a private hospital.
“We remind the public to refrain from posting any malicious or misinformation. We had our stories here last week where we filed a case and we are waiting for the warrant of arrest,” Castillo said, adding, fake news and wrong information could cause panic and hysteria. (John Rey Saavedra)
Like Us on Facebook: The Mindanao Examiner
Like Us on Facebook: The Zamboanga Post
Follow Us on Twitter: Mindanao Examine
Mirror Site: Mindanao Examiner Blog
Digital Archives: Mindanao Examiner Digital
Media Rates: Advertising Rates
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