After a social media post claiming an individual from Wuhan, China who tested positive for the coronavirus disease, or Covid-19, disappeared from a hotel in Bacolod City circulated online, Bacolod City Vice Mayor El Cid Familiaran warned anybody who spreads “fake news” about the virus could land in jail.
He pointed out, anyone caught spreading such false information is in violation of RA 11332, or the Mandatory Reporting of Notifiable Diseases and Health Events of Public Health Concern Act.
Section 9 indicates “intentionally providing misinformation” as a prohibited act, which is punishable by a fine between P20,000 to P50,000, along with a possible jail sentence between one and six months.
Meanwhile, Dr. Grace Tan, spokesperson for the Bacolod City Inter-Agency Task Force Against Novel Coronavirus, also called the post a hoax, pointing out, “It is impossible for Chinese nationals, especially those from Wuhan, to travel to the country since President Rodrigo Duterte already imposed a travel ban for China, Macau, and Hong Kong.”
In addition, other localities in Negros Occidental, such as San Carlos City and Pontevedra, also posted similar warnings about “fake news” with the Pontevedra municipal police threatening to arrest anyone in the town proliferating false information about the virus./DGB, WDJ