New PNP spox: Correct info best weapon vs. ‘fake news’

“We have the capability to track the source of these fake news at ginagawa na ang karapat-dapat na intervention para ang maibigay natin sa ating mamamayan ay pawang katotohanan lang ito (and what we do is the appropriate intervention of ensuring that the correct information reaches the public). Again, in this age and days of fake news, ang mga maririnig nyo sa Philppine National Police ay pawang katotohanan lang (what you will hear from the PNP is nothing but the truth) ,” PNP Public Information Office chief Senior Supt. Benigno Durana Jr. told reporters. (PNA photo)

MANILA — The Philippine National Police (PNP) said Wednesday it will focus on providing correct information against the spread of fake news seeking to malign the government.

The PNP made the statement in response to reports claiming a spike in crime incidents in the country.

“We have the capability to track the source of these fake news at ginagawa na ang karapat-dapat na intervention para ang maibigay natin sa ating mamamayan ay pawang katotohanan lang ito (and what we do is the appropriate intervention of ensuring that the correct information reaches the public). Again, in this age and days of fake news, ang mga maririnig nyo sa Philppine National Police ay pawang katotohanan lang (what you will hear from the PNP is nothing but the truth) ,” PNP Public Information Office chief Senior Supt. Benigno Durana Jr. told reporters.

“Of course, meron kaming (we have the) capability (to find the originators of fake news). In fact, just recently, may fake news na meron holdapan sa mga (there was fake news about hold-up incidents in) restaurants and three out of those alleged hold-up incidents ay talagang (were really) fake news. All over the world, andaming (there is so much) fake news,” Durana said, noting that fake news being used to undermine the government is not unique in the Philippines.

Citing the easy spread of fake news on social media, Durana reiterated that “anybody can do that, but definitely we have the means to know and our only intervention is that we give you the right answer based on real data.”

Last month, the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) said the average weekly crime rate under the eight focus crimes in Metro Manila has declined based on data recorded on May 14-20, compared to the same period last year. The eight crimes are murder, homicide, physical injuries, rape, robbery, theft, car theft, and motorcycle theft.

The May 14-20 period has the lowest average weekly crime rate in the NCRPO since the start of the Duterte administration.

Based on the Weekly Average Crime Trend monitoring conducted by the NCRPO Regional Investigation and Detective Management Division, the Weekly Average Crime Rate of the eight focus crimes has decreased by 29.29 percent from 329 last year to 231 recorded incidents this year.

The NCRPO said the year-on-year figures for the period show murder and homicide decreasing from 34 to 33 incidents, physical injury declining from 85 to 38 incidents, rape dropping from 21 to 15, robbery down from 63 to 41, theft sliding from 103 to 95, car theft reduced from four to one, and motorcycle theft decreasing from 19 to nine incidents.