MALITA, Davao Occidental(December 12) — Police and local media in Davao Occidental have pledged to jointly combat the spread of fake news, warning that disinformation is increasingly being exploited to sow panic, erode trust in institutions, and destabilize communities.
The commitment was made during an Anti-Fake News Consultative Forum held at the provincial police headquarters, where the Philippine Information Agency and the Regional Anti-Cybercrime Unit provided insights on false information, journalism ethics, and the challenges of cybercrime investigations.
DavOcc Police Provincial Director PCol. Sherwin M. Butil said criminal groups now weaponize social media to manipulate public perception and mislead legal processes. Fighting disinformation, he stressed, “is now an integral part of our role — a form of community safety.”
PLtCol. Elinar F. Agustin, chief of the Police Community Affairs and Development Unit, said the rapid spread of false information threatens people’s rights and community stability. “We’re here to equip ourselves with the skills to identify and combat fake news,” he said.
PRO-Davao’s PCpt. Lope Prado also underscored the importance of digital literacy, noting that spreading false information carries legal consequences.
Radio anchors from Max FM and Sky Radio likewise affirmed their stand against misinformation.
The forum forms part of the DavOcc-PPO’s broader push for responsible information sharing and stronger digital literacy. Representatives from local government, the DICT, the 73rd Infantry Battalion, and faith-based groups participated, signaling broad interagency support for building a well-informed and resilient community.
