Calatrava: The Police Regional Office-Negros Island Region (PRO-NIR) is investigating the false and misleading information posted on social media, claiming several government casualties during the armed encounter in Calatrava, Negros Occidental on June 14.
According to Philippines News Agency, in separate statements on Wednesday, the PRO-NIR and the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG)-NIR reiterated there were 'no reported injuries or casualties on the government side' and all the individuals involved are 'completely safe, unharmed, and accounted for.' A post monitored on Facebook stated that seven individuals died during the incident.
'An investigation shall be conducted in coordination with the Regional Anti-Cybercrime Unit-Negros Island Region to identify the individual or individuals responsible for authoring, administering and operating the social media page that published the false report,' the PRO-NIR said. It added the incident is also being reported to Meta for appropriate action pursuant to its policies and community standards on Facebook against the spread of false information.
On June 14, personnel of the Regional Mobile Force Battalion-NIR 1st Platoon, 2nd Maneuver Company engaged New People's Army remnants in Sitio Kabalagnan, Barangay Lalong while escorting DILG municipal local government operations officer Genevive Jadulos and village chief Roel Llagono, who came from a local governance lecture. 'Contrary to the erroneous claims, there were no casualties or injuries sustained during the incident,' the DILG-NIR said. 'We urge the public to refrain from sharing unverified news that causes unnecessary panic and to rely solely on official government advisories.'
For its part, the PRO-NIR said it is 'exploring all available legal remedies against individuals responsible for the malicious dissemination of false information online,' based on the outcome of the investigation and the determination of probable cause. 'The public is strongly encouraged to exercise discernment and responsibility in the use of social media by verifying information through official sources before sharing or reposting online content,' it added.
