Manila – The Philippines’ national police chief on Friday moved to ease growing public fear over crime amid a month-long lockdown in the country’s main island, which has left thousands without work and unable to buy basic supplies.
Reports of alleged theft, robbery and attacks on people buying groceries circulating on social media are all fake news, said national police Chief Gen. Archie Gamboa.
“We warn the public not to post fake news because you are liable under the law,’’ he said, adding that investigators were already working to track down those behind the posts.
`Just wait for us, and we will go to you and arrest you,’’ he said.
“The national police will deploy more mobile patrol units for anti-criminality and police visibility operations in the vicinity of commercial centres, vital establishments and residential communities to prevent criminal elements from taking advantage of the ongoing national emergency situation,’’ Gamboa added.
In posts on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram, Filipinos expressed worry about reports of men breaking into cars to steal groceries, following people walking home with supplies, and even trying to break into gated residential communities.
The island of Luzon, where the capital of Manila is located is home to nearly 60 million people, or half of the Philipines’ population.
It has been under lockdown since Monday to contain the spread of the new coronavirus.
According to the Department of Health, the country has reported 217 confirmed cases of COVID-19, the disease caused by the virus, as of Thursday.
This includes 17 deaths, while eight patients have recovered, the department said.
(dpa/NAN)