AUTHORITIES have warned the public to refrain from disseminating false information after several text messages and online posts begun to circulate about terror attacks that might happen here in Davao City.
“Kung may na-receive tayo na text messages, might as well do not spread it, do not share it na lang sa social media. It would be best if you share it to authority kasi makakadagdag ng information yan sa amin,” Davao City Police Office (DCPO) spokesperson Police Senior Inspector Ma. Teresita Gaspan said.
In less than a week, two bombings happened in Western Mindanao. The first on January 27 in Jolo, Sulu and the second in Zamoanga City on January 30.
However, Gaspan said they are not discounting any information that they receive as they would also conduct investigation to determine its veracity.
“Even if it is false information, mga text messages, still subjected to validation. Wala na namo gina-disregard kundili (We are not disregarding it), we take it seriously also unsa man ang nadawat namo [whatever we receive] whether it is false or true, still subject for validation,” Gaspan added.
Earlier, DCPO chief Police Senior Superintendent Alexander Tagum reminded the public on bomb jokes that might cause panic especially during the staging of Davao Region Athletic Association (Davraa).
“We would like to warn also all the participants and our visitors, please iwasan lang po natin na maggawa ng bomb joke that might disrupt the event and even cause panic or rampage sa mga audience that might create further damage sa atong Davraa event,” he said.
Serious consequences await those who will be proven guilty of such act under Presidential Decree 1727 known as "Anti-Bomb Joke Law.” Violators may be subjected to five years imprisonment, fine of not more than P40,000 or both.