Zamboanga city: The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) on Thursday urged the public to help combat fake news and misinformation, particularly during emergencies and other rapidly developing situations.
According to Philippines News Agency, DILG Undersecretary for Public Affairs and Communication Rolando Puno emphasized that fighting misinformation is a shared responsibility of government agencies, the media, and the public, especially during high-tension incidents such as the August 18 school shooting in Zamboanga City. Puno stated the necessity of a concerted effort to quash fake news and highlighted the importance of government agencies working together to ensure that only verified and factual information reaches the public.
Puno noted that the school shooting incident underscored the need to continuously improve government communication and information dissemination mechanisms during crises. He pointed out that while the country is not accustomed to such events, these incidents call for refining processes to enhance communication strategies.
The DILG official urged the public to verify information before sharing it, warning that unverified posts can quickly create fear, confusion, and unnecessary alarm during emergencies. Following the shooting at Ateneo de Zamboanga University, videos purportedly showing injured school security guards circulated widely on social media, leading to unverified reports of fatalities.
Puno stressed the importance of relying on official information from credible government authorities, noting that the Philippine National Police (PNP) exercises caution in releasing information while reports are still being validated. He mentioned that despite the tense situation and rapid developments, the PNP aims to share verified information promptly.
He also commended the DILG's immediate response to the incident, highlighting Secretary Jonvic Remulla's efforts in issuing statements and holding press conferences to provide verified information as it became available. Shortly after the Zamboanga situation, Remulla issued a statement to offer as many details as possible to the public.
