The Police Regional Office-7 (PRO-7) in Central Visayas has filed cybercrime charges against two individuals accused of disseminating false information on their social media accounts.
The charges against the arrested individuals include violations of Article 154 of the Revised Penal Code concerning the unlawful use of means of publication and unlawful utterances, in conjunction with Section 6 of Republic Act No. 10175, the Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012.
PRO-7 regional director, BGen. Redrico Maranan, emphasized the gravity of spreading fake news on social media, stating that it “is a serious offense that undermines public trust and safety.”
He affirmed PRO-7’s dedication to identifying and pursuing legal action against those involved in such activities, noting that convictions could lead to imprisonment for up to 12 years.
Maranan indicated that the filed cases are initial charges against the two suspects, as the PRO-7 investigation remains ongoing to determine if additional individuals were involved in the same cybercrime. He acknowledged the complex and lengthy nature of online investigations conducted by their cyber investigators.
The filing of these complaints originated from a video that circulated on social media during the recent grand procession of the Sinulog Festival and a prayer protest rally.
