Council asks NBI to probe fake news

AFTER THE QUAKE

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The spread of fake news following the 6.9-magnitude earthquake in Cebu has been brought up by the Cebu City Council, leading them to request the National Bureau of Investigation-Cybercrime Division to launch an immediate investigation.

This came after the privilege speech of Councilor Edgardo “Jaypee” Labella II, who raised what he described as the rapid spread of information across all forms of social media platforms after the earthquake.

He said while this swift transmission of information proved useful in quickly identifying the epicenter, establishing relief operations, and locating affected areas, it also facilitated the circulation of false information.

Labella narrated that over the weekend, heavy traffic congestion occurred in the northern stretch after vehicles carrying relief goods to affected areas were caught in a gridlock.

He said the city’s own donation drive arrived approximately 12 hours after leaving the city.

Labella said the bumper-to-bumper traffic worsened due to the spread of false information on the ground.