Texts about ABS-CBN Cebu workers having COVID-19 is fake news

By: Rosalie O. Abatayo - 5 years ago

BREAKING: CEBU CITY, Philippines — The Mandaue City government has tagged as fake news a message that has circulated via mobile text messages claiming that military troops were sent in Barangay Jagobiao, Mandaue City to enforce a total lockdown. The "fake news" message alleged that all employees of ABS-CBN, whose Cebu station is located in the barangay, are inflicted with coronavirus. "We would like to inform everyone that there is NO TRUTH TO THIS MATTER. This is FAKE NEWS. The purpose of this is to cause fear and panic. Such act is punishable by law," the city said in a statement through the Public Information Office. The city government called on the public to immediately report to authorities anyone who would forward the false information. ABS-CBN Cebu, through its flagship news program TV Patrol Central Visayas' Facebook page, also debunked the claims of the text message. "Dili tinuod ang gipakatap nga balita nga nataptan sa COVID-19 ang mga empleyado sa ABS-CBN Cebu," ABS-CBN Cebu's statement read./dbs

The Mandaue City government says that text messages circulating on mobile phones claiming ABS-CBN Cebu workers are afflicted with COVID-19 is false and is fake news. | Photo via TV Patrol – Central Visayas

CEBU CITY, Philippines — The Mandaue City government has tagged as fake news a message that has circulated via mobile text messages claiming that military troops were sent in Barangay Jagobiao, Mandaue City to enforce a total lockdown.

The “fake news” message alleged that all employees of ABS-CBN, whose Cebu station is located in the barangay, are inflicted with coronavirus.

“We would like to inform everyone that there is NO TRUTH TO THIS MATTER. This is FAKE NEWS. The purpose of this is to cause fear and panic. Such act is punishable by law,” the city said in a statement through the Public Information Office.

The city government called on the public to immediately report to authorities anyone who would forward the false information.

ABS-CBN Cebu, through its flagship news program TV Patrol Central Visayas’ Facebook page, also debunked the claims of the text message.

“Dili tinuod ang gipakatap nga balita nga nataptan sa COVID-19 ang mga empleyado sa ABS-CBN Cebu,” ABS-CBN Cebu’s statement read.

(Reports circulating claiming that workers of ABS-CBN Cebu have COVID-19 is false.)

Gisunod sa kompaniya ang mga lagda aron mapanalipdan ang panglawas sa mga kawani, ilabi na sa mga reporter nga kanunay nagkuha sa mga balita alang sa uban nga platforms. Kanunay usab gipahigayon ang disinfection sa sulod ug gawas sa building, lakip na sa mga sakyanan,” it added.

(The company has followed the rules on protecting the health of its employees, especially the reporters, who have continued to gather news for the company’s other platforms. The company has also continued to conduct disinfection inside and outside the ABS-CBN Cebu building and that includes the vehicles of the company.)/dbs