PALACE CAUTIONS PUBLIC ANEW ON FAKE NEWS

MALACAÑANG reiterated its warning to the public about the spread of fake news and disinformation, particularly on the arrest of former President Rodrigo R. Duterte by agents of the International Criminal Police Organization (Interpol).

In a press briefing on Monday, the Presidential Communications Office Undersecretary and Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said that the PCO is collaborating with law enforcement agencies to run after fake news peddlers.

“Talagang dumarami po ang fake news para po malihis ang katotohanan. Kitang-kita po ninyo, kahit po mismo si dating ES (executive secretary Salvador) Medialdea … nakita po natin kung papaano po ba niya nabanggit na nawawala ang dating Pangulong Duterte,” Castro told reporters.

Castro said that the International Criminal Court (ICC), where the former president is accused of crimes against humanity related to his administration’s violent war on drugs, has belied Medialdea’s claims.

“Dapat po ang tao ay magmasid, mag-isip, at matuto pong mag-evaluate para po hindi po nagugulo ang ating isipan at damdamin,” she said.

During the same briefing, Castro dismissed claims from Sen. Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go, who said that the former president is not receiving adequate medical care while in detention by ICC authorities.

Quoting an ICC judge, Castro said doctors are attending to Duterte. She described his condition as “mentally aware, mentally fit.”

“Kung mayroon pong mga ganitong klaseng haka-haka, muli, katulad ng sinabi ni Sen. Bong Go, dapat siguro ay kaniya munang alamin ang katotohanan,” she said.

Castro also described Davao City Mayor Sebastian Duterte’s claims of an impending raid on their Davao City residence as “can be a part of fake news.” The Philippine National Police has denied any such impending raid.

As fake news flooded social media, Castro acknowledged the role of the press, particularly the mainstream media, in combating misinformation.

She urged the mainstream media to assist the government in containing and fighting fake news and disinformation.