THE Davao City Police Office (DCPO) has urged Dabawenyos to avoid spreading false information on social media following a series of posts about alleged abductions and kidnappings in the city, warning that doing so could lead to legal consequences.
This warning comes after a viral post falsely claimed that a kidnapping incident involving students occurred in Los Amigos, Davao City, earlier this month.
The post, which quickly gained traction online, alleged that several students were abducted by few individuals in a white van.
However, following a thorough investigation, personnel from the Los Amigos Police Station discovered that the students were not victims of kidnapping, but had skipped school, taken a public utility vehicle, and spent the day at a mall before heading to a resort.
With the assistance of the students' adviser, police were able to locate the teens and safely return them to their parents. Local authorities also coordinated with the barangay’s assigned social worker to ensure the students' well-being.
Meanwhile, DCPO Acting Director Col. Hansel Marantan emphasized the serious repercussions of spreading false reports as he reminded the public that posting malicious information could lead to penalties under Article 154 of the Revised Penal Code, as amended by Republic Act (RA) No. 10951, as well as Section 6 of the Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012. These laws penalize online libel and the dissemination of false information that causes public disorder.
"The spread of false information causes unnecessary panic, misleads the public, and wastes valuable police resources," Marantan said. "It diverts attention from real emergencies and undermines public trust in law enforcement."
Marantan urged the public to verify any information before sharing it on social media, stressing the importance of relying on credible sources such as official police pages and verified news outlets.
"The safety and well-being of the community are our top priorities," he continued. "We encourage everyone to work together in maintaining peace and order by promoting truth and accuracy in the information we share."
As the investigation into the matter continues, the DCPO reaffirms that it remains committed to providing swift police responses to real emergencies, reinforcing its stance on the importance of responsible social media use for the greater good of the community. DEF
