THE Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA-10) on Thursday released an official statement addressing false information circulating online.
This disinformation falsely attributes a statement to PDEA Director General Moro Virgilio Lazo, involving a high-ranking official from Cagayan de Oro City in illegal drug activities.
The false statement posted by the Facebook account ‘Peace and Order,’ which is a troll account known for criticizing the city government, claims that local drug lords are hard to apprehend because they occupy significant positions, including one who is a city leader and another whose son is a barangay chairman.
This statement, dated September 10, 2024, is completely fabricated.
PDEA Region-10 has clarified that no such statement was issued by the Director General.
The PDEA Spokesperson confirmed that any official pronouncement must come directly from the Director General, who has no knowledge of this false claim.
Expedido P. Cardona, Jr., PDEA Misamis Oriental Provincial Officer, conducted a thorough investigation and verified that the alleged high-ranking official has no involvement in illegal drug activities.
PDEA urges the public to be cautious and avoid spreading unverified information. Such misinformation can harm individuals and disturb public trust.
PDEA is committed to upholding the law and ensuring that accurate information reaches the public.
For reliable updates, PDEA advises relying on their verified sources and channels.
Sheila Lumbatan, Chief of Staff at the City Mayor’s Office, stated that the disinformation originated from a troll account and is not legitimate.
“It’s a troll account, but many people don’t realize this and are believing the post because of the comments and shares,” said Lumbatan.
In response, Mayor Rolando Uy called on the public to be vigilant against fake news spread by troll accounts.
He urged everyone to verify information and ensure it comes from legitimate sources before believing or sharing it on social media.
Mayor Uy emphasized that the intent of these troll accounts is clear: to damage the reputation of individuals, groups, or organizations through false information.
The Mayor’s appeal follows the spread of false claims on social media, alleging that a significant official in Cagayan de Oro, along with their barangay captain child, was involved in illegal drug activities.
Mayor Uy expressed gratitude to PDEA-10 for debunking these baseless claims and reaffirming that the statement supposedly from the PDEA Director General is untrue.
This incident highlights the importance of critical thinking and responsible sharing of information online. The public is encouraged to discern and verify news to prevent the spread of misinformation.
PDEA remains dedicated to its mission of law enforcement and public safety, and it is crucial for the community to support these efforts by staying informed through credible sources.
The agency continues to work tirelessly to protect communities from illegal drugs and maintain peace and order.
By addressing these false claims, PDEA and local officials aim to restore public confidence and focus on their ongoing anti-drug campaigns.
PDEA-10 reassures the public of its commitment to transparency and truth in its operations and communications.
