Fake news in energy crisis ‘direct threat to national stability’

By Jose Cielito Reganit, Philippine News Agency

Lanao del Sur 1st District Rep. Zia Alonto Adiong (Photo courtesy of House-Press and Public Affairs Bureau)

MANILA – A House leader on Monday backed Malacañang’s warning against fake news peddlers, saying the deliberate spread of disinformation amid the ongoing energy emergency poses a “direct threat to national stability” and must be met with swift legal action.

Lanao del Sur 1st District Rep. Zia Alonto Adiong, chair of the House Committee on Suffrage and Electoral Reforms, issued the statement following the Presidential Communications Office’s announcement that it will file charges against individuals who fabricate and spread false information on energy supply, pricing and security.

The Palace warning came after a false advisory on an alleged “energy lockdown” circulated online, fueling confusion at a time when the government is responding to global supply shocks and rising fuel costs linked to tensions in the Middle East.

In a news release, Adiong said disinformation in such a critical period is a dangerous act that can trigger panic and undermine government efforts.

“This is not mere misinformation; this is a direct attack on public order and national stability. When you spread false claims about energy supply or pricing, you risk inciting panic, distorting markets, and eroding public trust at a time when the country needs clarity and unity the most,” he said.

He stressed that those who deliberately exploit the crisis to advance political or personal interests must be held fully accountable under the law.

“There must be consequences. Those who intentionally mislead the public during a national emergency are not exercising free speech; they are endangering the public,” he added.

Adiong also warned that unchecked disinformation could weaken the government’s ability to manage the crisis and protect consumers.

“False narratives can derail response efforts, disrupt economic activity, and harm ordinary Filipinos who are already bearing the brunt of rising costs,” he said.

Echoing the Palace’s call for vigilance, Adiong urged the public to rely only on verified government advisories and credible sources.

He emphasized that safeguarding accurate information is a shared responsibility, especially as authorities intensify monitoring and enforcement against online disinformation.

“In times like this, truth is critical infrastructure. We must defend it with the same urgency as we secure our energy supply,” Adiong said.

“Think before you share. Verify before you amplify. The cost of false information today is too high for the nation to bear,” he added.

In a separate statement on Monday, the Philippine National Police (PNP) reaffirmed its commitment to support the national government in the fight against energy‑related disinformation.

“The situation in the Middle East is a serious matter and any attempt to exploit it to trigger unwarranted panic among our kababayan must be addressed and dealt with. We will not allow this,” PNP chief Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. said.

He added that criminal charges will be filed against individuals found responsible for spreading harmful disinformation.

Local police units, Nartatez also said, are now using their social media accounts to counter fake news.