'No energy lockdown': Palace warns legal action vs fake news peddlers
Malacañang Palace threatened legal action against individuals spreading false claims of an energy lockdown as the country is coping with the effects of the Middle East war.
In a statement released on April 5, Presidential Communications Office Secretary Dave Gomez said the government has a "zero tolerance" policy regarding disinformation.
"To every Filipino on social media: stop and think before you post or hit 'share.' In these difficult times, sharing unverified posts can cause public harm. So always verify information through official government channels before you spread it," Gomez said.
Over the past few days, posts about a supposed "energy lockdown" using the Department of Energy logo have been circulating, claiming the lockdown would begin on April 20. The posts asked readers to prepare equipment and household necessities to help them ride out the crisis.
"In light of the current energy landscape, we warn anyone who deliberately fabricates stories and spreads fake news online to exploit the situation that they will be held to account to the fullest extent of the law," Gomez added.
"Any attempt to mislead the public about energy security, supply, or pricing to sow confusion will be treated as a serious offense," he said.
He continued, saying PCO's anti-fake-news desk is coordinating with the Department of Justice to file charges against fraudsters who knowingly spread false information or manipulate markets. According to the secretary, PCO's Oplan Kontra Fake News initiative is closely monitoring social media and other information platforms to flag disinformation campaigns.
Palace Press Officer Claire Castro earlier debunked the false post.
In a text message to reporters sent on April 3, according to the Philippine News Agency, Castro said of the post, "Fake news ito."
Fuel prices in the country have been soaring since, in retaliation to American and Israeli bombings, Iran closed the Strait of Hormuz days after the attacks began on Feb. 28. About a fifth of the world's seaborne oil supply passes through the strait. On April 2, however, Iran granted assurance that Philippine-flagged vessels will be allowed safe passage.
On April 4, Energy Secretary Sharon Garin wrote on social media that while the reassurance from Iran "helps continuity of supply and stability," it is merely risk management, "because in a time of global tension, risk reduction is already a meaningful gain."
The secretary added that the safe passage will not immediately bring down fuel prices in the country; neither will it rectify long-term structural flaws in energy. She said, however, these are priorities the government is continuously addressing.
