CAGAYAN de Oro City Mayor Rolando ‘Klarex’ Uy Thursday, October 3 issued a statement warning the public against the spread of false information targeting him on social media, calling these a ‘cheap political gimmick.’
Uy’s statement was in reaction to the viral spread of manipulated photographs of him with controversial Chinese businessman Tony Yang.
Yang, who is among the incorporators of Philippine Sanjia Steel Corporation in Tagoloan town, Misamis Oriental, has been linked to criminal activities is an ongoing Congressional probe on Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (Pogos), extrajudicial killings, and illegal drugs.
Yang has also been named in the House inquiry as one of the alleged owners of the now closed Pogo, Oro One Corporation, which used to operate inside the Alwana Business Park in Barangay Cugman, Cagayan de Oro City.
Uy said the public needs to be more discerning in consuming information from social media.
“The altered photos and false statements speak for themselves and reflect the true character of the people behind the (sic) malinformation,” Uy said.
The mayor was referring to disinformation which are false information purposely spread to mislead. Malinformation refers to the deliberate spreading of private and personal data for personal, rather than public, interest. Revenge porn is an example of malinformation.
Uy also expressed appreciation to the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) for issuing alerts regarding misleading statements related to the Pogo controversy in Cagayan de Oro City.
