THE Department of Information and Communication Technology (DICT) is encouraging the public and the media to report inappropriate posts online.

Assistant Secretary Alan, head of the DICT Cyber Security Bureau, made the statement when informed about a person who was arrested for selling shabu online.

He said the DICT’s mandate is to monitor any cyber crime and coordinate with other government agencies, which enforcing laws, such as the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) for illegal drug transactions, and the Philippine National Police (PNP) for any criminality.

The penalties of crime online will be determined by the court based on the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002 concerning illegal drugs, which will be handled by PDEA; and the Revised Penal Code on any crime that will be handled by the PNP.

On fake accounts and fake news, Cabanlong said any person can file a complaint with them so they can coordinate with the social media outlet concerned for possible cancellation of the sites.

Cabanlong believed that there are still fake accounts on Facebook and other online outlets but these are subject to due process, especially if these have been there for a long time.

He said his office is in constant discussion with online outlets regarding various violations.

“We have a good channel of communication with Facebook in determining violations online and fake sites and fake news. Law-abiding citizens and the media must report to us any suspicious accounts so we can investigate these,” Cabanlong said. (EOB)