The spokesman of Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), Undersecretary Jonathan Malaya identify on Monday, that the circulating audio clip which states that the national government will impose a total lockdown as a preventive measure against the spread of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is “fake news”.

During the Laging Handa press briefing, Malaya said

Narinig ko po ang voice clip na ‘yun at unang dinig ko pa lamang ay alam ko na na fake news kasi wala pong ganoong direktiba ang ating pamahalaan. Wala pa pong desisyon ang ating Pangulo sa anumang klaseng sinasabing total lockdown na ‘yan.”

“Ngunit, mayroon po tayong mas maigting na implementasyon ng enhanced community quarantine dahil mas marami pa po tayong kababayan na pasaway.”

He also said that the authorities were already conducting an investigation to know who were those behind the audio clip.

The Philippine National Police (PNP) said that the Anti-Cybercrime Group would also conduct an investigation. To arrest the people behind the audio clip.

However, based on a statement of PNP spokesman Police Brigadier General Bernard Banac, he encouraged the citizens to be alert and to refrain from spreading unverified information.

Banac said, “We deemed it to be another fake news spreading through text messages and chat groups. We urge netizens and social media users to be alert and vigilant and avoid sharing or posting unverified information.”

According to the latest data from the PNP, it showed that there are now over 40 individuals that were arrested for spreading false information amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

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