CEBU, Philippines — The Police Regional Office-7 is taking steps to trace the people behind the social media account that posted a supposed kill list involving San Fernando barangay officials.
The director of PRO-7 Brigadier General Debold Sinas told reporters in a press conference yesterday, the “fake accounts” were targeting officials affiliated with San Fernando town Mayor Lakambini “Neneth” Reluya.
Sinas said that the threats are linked to politics.
“I think gisakyan na tungod sa elections. Hoax man na ilang information nga nikatag maayo tungod naa nagreact. All of the accounts are fake and we cannot just arrest anyone that they may suspect,” Sinas said. (This issue is because of the elections. Their information was hoax and it went viral because may reacted.)
He said that validating the source of the threat will take time as it is a challenge to trace crimes done online.
He said that they cannot immediately conduct operations against persons whom the officials believe were behind the fake accounts.
He said that they are compiling complaints received by San Fernando Police Station on the alleged threats each official received.
“We are studying the reports and trying to validate. We do not know if the threat is real or not. The verification will take time,” he said.
He advised the officials to be extra careful and exercise vigilance.
“We cannot guard them 24/7 and it is not right for me tell not to worry kay basin tinuod unya ang threats, mabalik pa nako. We are doing our best to check,” Sinas said.
He added that the situation in San Fernando have stabilized after the recent consecutive killings targeting local officials.
Sinas said that after elections, he is sure that the fake accounts will be taken down.
In a separate interview, Filomeno Leyson, a purok leader of San Fernando, said that they only wanted justice.
He clarified that they raised their concern to the Sangguniang Bayan of San Fernando during a special meeting because of the effect of the fake accounts and take it down.
Last week, the group visited the office of Police Colonel Manuel Abrugena to air their concern and was referred to the Anti-Cybercrime Group. — MBG (FREEMAN)