Investigation to identify source of fake news almost complete
The investigation meant to unmask the creators of the controversial Facebook page is 80 percent complete.
Chief Insp. Leo Dofiles, head of the anti-cybercrime unit of the Police Regional Office in Central Visayas (PRO-7), said they are inching closer to determining the individuals responsible for the hoax bomb threat that was posted on Cebu Flash Report (CFR) last Tuesday.
The post stated that a bomb was found near a stall in Barangay Basak, Lapu-Lapu City.
Police rushed to the area but couldn’t find a bomb.
Yesterday, a worker of the Lapu-Lapu City Hall met with Dofiles as one of the “persons of interest.”Dofiles withheld the name of the city hall worker to avoid hampering the investigation.
Dofiles withheld the name of the city hall worker to avoid hampering the investigation.
“He denied being part of the Facebook page. He gave us names and a group who could be the ones handling the page,” said Dofiles.
“Wala ko kahibalo ngano’ng naa akong pangalan diha sa page sa Cebu Flash Report. Basin nanguha ra pud na sila sa akong mga post sa akong Facebook account (I do not know why my name appears at the Cebu Flash Report page. Maybe they just took my posts from my Facebook account),” the City Hall worker said.
He said he already explained his side about the issue to the personnel of the city’s Anti-CyberCrime Division.
He denied he was hiding from the authorities and said he was just busy with his work in the city hall.
Dofiles said the anti-cybercrime unit has coordinated with the Department of Justice (DOJ) as part of the investigation.
“It will be the DOJ that will coordinate with Facebook to grant our request for some vital information,” said Dofiles.
At least five persons are now considered “persons of interest.”
Last Thursday, photojournalist Alan Tangcawan showed up at the Regional Intelligence Division to clear his name.
Tangcawan denied insinuations that he was one of the administrators of CFR.
“We are 80 percent done. The investigation will continue until we identify the persons behind the CFR,” said Dofiles.
Lapu-Lapu City Mayor Paz Radaza said she will not hesitate to terminate a government employee if proven guilty after due process.
She said the city legal office is coordinating with the PRO-7, which is handling the case.
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