UNTRUE. Health officials of the Iloilo City government conduct on Saturday (Feb. 8, 2020) an interview with Unitop General Merchandise, Inc. management to confirm the messages spreading on the alleged novel coronavirus symptoms being felt by one of the store's owners. Iloilo City Mayor Jerry Treñas slammed the circulating messages and sought an investigation into the fake news. (Photo courtesy of Dr. Roland Jay Fortuna)
ILOILO CITY -- An investigation is being sought against persons who disseminate fake news through text messaging and social media regarding cases of the novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV) in this city, Iloilo City Mayor Jerry Treñas said on Saturday.
This came after messages warning Ilonggos against shopping at Unitop General Merchandise, Inc. made the rounds on Facebook and short message service (SMS).
“Please do not go to Unitop because one of the owners has symptoms of nCoV,” part of the message, which was written in Hiligaynon, said.
It further said the mayor has referred one of the owners of the establishment for a check-up “because if not, the Unitop will be closed.”
In a phone interview, Treñas slammed the circulating message. “That is fake news,” he said, adding that the alleged news also spread in Cagayan de Oro.
Treñas mobilized the Iloilo City Health Office, with medical officer Dr. Roland Jay Fortuna, to investigate the matter.
The city’s health officials interviewed the management of Unitop on Saturday morning. The establishment assured them that the management has no history of recent travel to affected countries.
“We are warning the public not to immediately believe fake news. Otherwise, this will only lead to panic in our city and will affect us adversely. We are trying our best to keep our fellows in this city away from nCoV and its danger. We do not want this situation to escalate that the Ilonggos will panic,” Treñas said.
To show that the city is not tolerating purveyors of fake news, he said he will bring the matter to the National Bureau of Investigation and the Philippine National Police for proper action.
“We are studying to have this investigated by the police because if not investigated, (it seems that) whoever has the capacity (will release) posts in their Facebook account without any responsibility for truth,” Treñas said. “We will make sure that with all the means available, the NBI and the police authority will dig deeper into this and cases will be filed for those who are responsible.”
Unitop, through its vice president for operation Albert Brito, assured in a letter dated February 7 that the establishment is free of the virus.
“This is to reassure our loyal suki (customer) that the management and employees of Unitop Department Store are not infected with the 2019-novel coronavirus virus. Unitop is strictly implementing measures to make its store a safe place for its employees and loyal patrons,” it said.
The management is also “working with the authorities to track down and bring to justice the purveyors of the fake news,” it added.
Treñas, meanwhile, also assured that the government is coordinating all efforts from health departments and the business sector of this city to prevent the virus.
“We will use everything under our control to keep our city away from the nCoV problem,” he said. (PNA)
