DILG Urges PNP To Intensify Efforts Against Fake News Spreaders
DILG – The DILG was ordered to prompt the PNP to enhance efforts in fighting against fake news amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
Among them includes apprehending COVID-19 fake news spreaders as these false claims have affected the government’s all-out fight against the COVID-19 spread.
According to Manila bulletin, the village workers in Quezon City were dismayed at the huge number of tricycle group members who refused to undergo the free swab tests that were provided by the city government and Department of Health (DOH).
DILG Undersecretary and spokesperson Jonathan Malaya vowed that the department will dispel “this fake news and disinformation to strengthen public confidence in the vaccination program.’’
The DILG is currently rolling out a huge information campaign among the priority groups for immunization with the Department of Health (DOH), Public Information agency (PIA) and other concerned agencies.
A certain tricycle driver, identified as Joannie Romulo, said that he refused to undergo swab tests because a doctor told them that COVID-19 can only afflict the elderly with underlying medical conditions.
Upon being pressed further, the tricycle driver refused to identify the name of the said doctor and insisted that the information given by the supposed medical practitioner was genuine.
He said that to undergo swab test is a waste of time due to the long queue, resulting to wasted hours which may further deplete his daily income worsened by the pandemic.
Ibig sabihin ng pagsalang sa swab test bawas kita. Sin lakas ako ng kalabaw kaya wala akong Covid-19. Sipon at ubo normal lang yan kaya hindi ibig sabihin na may COVID ako.”
Romulo also said that the doctor who was a passenger numerous times said that view that everyone can be infected with COVID-19 is made up. However, he admitted that he waswearing of face masks only because of out of fear of being arrested, jailed and penalized.
Because of the spread of fake news, barangay health personnel feared that some, who are deemed qualified to take the vaccine, will possibly have second thoughts of being injected by the dose.
“This certainly hampers the government’s program to prevent the spike of COVID-19 in the country,’
DILG Undersecretary Epimaco Densing III said earlier that they will not force those who do not want to get vaccinated on COVID-19.
Densing, however, stressed that the LGUs should properly educate their constituents about the vaccination program, based on the report.
As for the fake news spreaders, among those were many who were already arrested and charged in court.
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