PCO Files Complaints Vs. Facebook Users Spreading Energy Misinformation | INQToday
Why It Matters
Holding online purveyors of false energy news accountable deters panic‑driven market disruptions and reinforces trust in government communications.
Key Takeaways
- •PCO urges DOJ to prosecute Facebook misinformation spreaders.
- •Three specific posts alleged to incite panic over energy shortages.
- •Claims include fake lockdown, fuel scarcity, and solar panel scam.
- •Government warns of zero tolerance for fabricated energy news.
- •Legal action aims to protect public welfare and market stability.
Summary
The Presidential Communications Office (PCO) announced it will ask the Department of Justice to file criminal complaints against the operators of a Facebook page accused of spreading false information about the Philippines’ energy situation.
The directive, issued by President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr., targets three specific posts on the Malasakit News Filipinas page. One warned of an imagined energy lockdown to push solar‑panel sales, another fabricated a fuel‑shortage panic to spur gasoline and LPG hoarding, and a third claimed a COVID‑19‑Zika variant would trigger a nationwide lockdown.
PCO Secretary Dave Gomez said the posts were designed “to sow public panic and confusion and undermine public welfare and safety,” emphasizing that such deception is punishable by law. He urged the DOJ to identify the individuals behind the content and pursue charges.
The move signals a hardening stance on online disinformation, especially when it threatens energy security and market stability. By threatening prosecution, the government aims to deter future scams, protect consumer confidence, and reinforce regulatory oversight of social‑media misinformation.
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