Monday, August 25, 2008 Hotline on Mindanao conflict By Ben O. Tesiorna
THE Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) launched two hotline numbers in its effort to fight any disinformation campaign on the ongoing Mindanao conflict.
In a text barrage, the military's Eastern Mindanao Command informed the public that they can text or call hotline numbers 0908-228-2222 and 0927-761-2345 for any questions concerning the Mindanao fighting.
The military's move followed a rash of text messages claiming to come from official sources that tended to fan fears with warnings of terrorist attacks and rebel raids.
The hotline numbers started operating at 7 p.m. of August 21.
EMC spokesman Major Armand Rico said the launching of the hotline numbers is part of the military's effort to address the disinformation problem in relation to the Mindanao armed conflict.
Rico said the public could verify from the abovementioned numbers all unconfirmed information they receive from anybody before passing this on to other people.
Rumors have been circulating about the MILF presence in several areas of Lanao resulting in massive panic among residents who believed the claims.
In Iligan City last week, a similar rumor drove residents to the streets and away from Iligan City. Mayor Lawrence Cruz was forced to go live on local television to assuage panicking residents.
Several towns in Lanao del Norte were also hit by the "MILF attack scare." In Tubod's Mindanao Civic Center Hotel, guests were restless after being informed by a police officer about the reported sighting of MILF rebels two kilometers away from the facility Wednesday evening.
With the military's hotline numbers, authorities expect the disinformation campaign, which is being blamed on the MILF, to stop or at least be minimized.
