2 ‘fake news peddlers’ charged

MANILA, Philippines — Criminal complaints have been filed against two people who spread on social media an edited video of the crowd taken during the Sinulog Festival in Cebu, describing it as a prayer rally for former president Rodrigo Duterte.

Charges for violation of Article 154 of the Revised Penal Code, or the unlawful use of means of publication, and unlawful utterances in relation to Republic Act 10175 or the Cybercrime Prevention Act were filed against the suspects, identified only as Leocimar and Salik.

The cases were filed before the Office of the City Prosecutor in Cebu and Mandaue on Thursday, according to Brig. Gen. Redrico Maranan, Central Visayas police director.

“The dissemination of false information on social media is a serious offense that undermines public trust and safety,” Maranan said in a statement.

The suspects are accused of spreading false information through their Facebook and TikTok accounts, where they uploaded video footage showing a mammoth crowd during a supposed rally of supporters of Duterte.

Probers found out that the video was taken during the Sinulog Festival in Cebu City.

Maranan said the video misled residents, who canceled their business and personal transactions to avoid getting stuck in traffic.

“This is the effect of fake news and fake videos that these people are spreading,” Maranan said.

He said cybercrime investigators at the Central Visayas police traced the fake video to the suspects.

Maranan warned social media influencers peddling fake news that they would face dire consequences.

“They violated a law that imposes a major punishment, which is a maximum of 12 years in prison,” he said.