• THERESA MAE DULMAN
The Bacolod City Legal Office (CLO) has officially partnered with the Bacolod City Police Office Cybercrime Unit to identify and track individuals responsible for spreading false reports regarding alleged flooding on February 6.
The move stemmed from a series of social media posts claiming that areas such as Carvic in Barangay Mandalagan and Purok Mars in Brgy. Singcang-Airport were already underwater after a period of rain.
During a media interview on Thursday, spokesperson Atty. Vanessa Encabo confirmed the CLO will serve as the formal complainant in any legal charges filed against the perpetrators.
She clarified that while the city did experience rainfall, no actual flooding occurred in those locations.
The investigation was initiated under the direct order of Mayor Greg Gasataya, who aims to penalize those spreading misinformation that triggers unnecessary panic and anxiety among the public.
“We take this seriously because the moment it affects the people of Bacolod City by providing wrong or fake information then the city will pursue them,” Gasataya said.
While the exact number of individuals currently being traced has not been released, authorities emphasize that these actions are necessary to maintain public order and discourage the misuse of digital platforms.*
