NBI Sends Out 17 Subpoenas To Social Media Users Spreading Fake News On COVID-19
SUBPOENAS FOR FAKE NEWS – The National Bureau of Investigation sent out 17 netizens suspects of spreading fake news regarding COVID-19.
NBI Cyber Crime Division chief Victor Lorenzo stated they would call out more social media users after taking care of the initial suspects. As such, Lorenzo stated:
So far, 17 pa lang naman ‘yung pinaldahan namin pero ine-expect namin magpapadala pa kami
(So far, we have only sent 17 (subpoenas) but we expect to send out more).
Additionally, Lorenzo stated that the suspects would be accommodated within the week. Afterward, they would send out more subpoenas.
According to an article from GMA, the NBI is pursuing users spreading fake news pursuant to Article 154 of the Revised Penal Code. Under the Article, any individual in any form of publication which endangers the public order or cause damage to the state may be penalized.
However, Human rights lawyer Chel Diokno had criticized the NBI for giving subpoenas to netizens who were voicing out concerns online.
As per the report, Diokno stated:
Pati ordinaryong mamamayang nagpo-post ng hinaing online, pinapatawag ng NBI. Tinanggap ko ang kasong ito dahil di na makatao ang nangyayari.
(Even ordinary citizens posting their grievances online are being summoned by the NBI. I accepted their case because what’s happening right now isn’t humanitarian.
Clearly, posting fake news regarding COVID-19 would do more harm than good. At this time, residents are urged to remain calm and avoid causing chaos within the communities.
As such, spreaders of fake news may face up to 12 years of imprisonment and a P1,000,000 fine according to Lorenzo.
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