By Christopher Lloyd Caliwan
MANILA – The Philippine National Police-Anti-Cybercrime Group (PNP-ACG) on Monday said it is investigating the misinformation and fake social media posts in light of the International Criminal Court’s (ICC) case against former president Rodrigo Duterte.
“Lahat yan nabanggit, inisa-isa kay ACG chief Brig. Gen. Bernard Yang. Kasama na diyan yung lumalabas na mga memes at yung mga fake news all about kay FPRRD binigay lahat kay (All of these were mentioned, including ACG chief Brig. Gen. Bernard Yang, including the memes that are coming out and the fake news all about FPRRD, all have been given to) ACG director for his appropriate actions,” PNP Information Chief Col. Randulf Tuaño said in a press conference at Camp Crame.
In a Palace briefing on Monday, Presidential Communications Office (PCO) and Palace Press Officer, Undersecretary Claire Castro, confirmed that the PCO is coordinating with the PNP and the National Bureau of Investigation to investigate fake news peddlers.
Tuaño said the PNP has monitored at least 58 rallies, attended by approximately 49,000 individuals, in relation to the ongoing discussions surrounding the ICC case against Duterte.
He said most of the rallies took place in Davao City, Duterte’s hometown.
“Umaabot lang po ng mga isang oras, dalawang oras, nagdi-disperse naman po peacefully ‘yong mga taong nakikilahok sa mga rally (“It only lasts about an hour, two hours, and the people participating in the rallies disperse peacefully,” Tuaño said.
He added that authorities continue to monitor the situation, while security measures are in place to ensure peace and order.
Tuaño said the heightened alert status, which was imposed on March 11 following Duterte’s arrest, has already been lifted, and there are no plans to raise it again for now.
Duterte, accused of committing crimes against humanity in connection with his bloody anti-drug campaign, was arrested at the airport upon his return from Hong Kong on March 11 through an ICC-issued arrest warrant.
The warrant was received by the International Criminal Police Organization (Interpol) Manila and implemented by the PNP.
The former leader arrived in The Hague, Netherlands on March 12 and was turned over to the ICC Detention Center in Scheveningen.
He made his first ICC appearance via video link on March 14.
The court has scheduled a hearing on Sept. 23 to confirm the charges. (PNA)
