By Miriam G. Desacada
The regional military and police commands in Eastern Visayas on Wednesday issued separate statements declaring as “fake news” or a “hoax” about a warning circulated in the social media of an imminent attack by the New People’s Army in crowded places.
The 8th Infantry Division (8ID) of the Philippine Army, in its press statement, declared: “The news circulating online of a possible attack by the NPA rebels is a black propaganda…”
The Catbalogan City-based 8ID, headed by Major General Camilo Ligayo, urged the public “to refrain from sharing and posting such disinformation … as it causes panic and fear among the people of Samar and other nearby areas.”
The circulated fake news, written in Leyteño-Samarnon (Waray) language, told the public that the police and military forces in Samar are in “full alert status” over possible attacks by the NPA.
It further said that intel sources warned people not to go to the malls within a week because the “abusayaf” (sic) will bomb the place if they fail to get $15 million; that the rebels threatened to attack the towns of Basey, Marabut, and Lawaan (all in Samar); and that there are many personnel in Basey as authorities are now in “red alert” already.
In a way, this affected and caused panic to some sectors and communities in parts of Leyte and Samar. Even in Tacloban City, the media noted a sort of stirrings or frenzy in some mall goers shortly after the fake news began circulating in the social media.
The Palo, Leyte-based Police Regional Office-8, headed by P/Brig. General Rommel Francisco Marbil, declared this as a “hoax message” and that the regional command warns the public “not to entertain such disinformation and refrain from sharing it to others.”
The 8ID said this is “orchestrated by the enemies of the state to attract support from sympathizers and instill fear to the populace,” amid the already dwindling number of these rebel-terrorists.
“We urge the public to be vigilant and to report to the authorities any suspicious elements or activities in the locality,” stated the military command.
Both the entire police and military forces in the region, assured the public that their respective personnel are “always alert, and cautious,” and “are doing their best efforts in maintaining peace and security in Eastern Visayas region.” —Miriam G. Desacada