The public should be cautious about the information they consume on social media, warning against the spread of false and misleading content.

Speaking at a press conference, Iloilo Governor Arthur Defensor Jr. underscored the need for vigilance, especially in light of the misinformation circulating online following the arrest of former President Rodrigo Duterte.

Defensor said that with various platforms available on social media, anyone could pretend to be someone else and say and do anything without accountability.

“With the various platforms available today, anyone can pretend to be someone else and say or do anything without accountability,” he said.

“Traditional media has regulations and accountability systems, but on social media, that’s not always the case.”

Defensor said he does not have a Facebook account, but at least 10 fake accounts are using his name. 

He does not know who created them and has already filed complaints for those accounts to be taken down.

Defensor also highlighted the risks posed to young people, who have easy access to content on their mobile phones.

“Everything is on your cellphone, even the things that they don’t have to see, but it is there. It’s very open. Too much of anything is poison,” he added.

Meanwhile, Defensor said he trusts both the Philippine judicial system and the International Criminal Court that would try the former president for charges of crimes against humanity.

“As a lawyer, I understand that international law is part of our legal system; we have to let due process take its course. I know the former president is arrested and is now in The Hague in ICC. Again, that is part of international law, which is also part of our legal system,” he said.

Defensor said the arrest is “a very important issue” at the moment but hoped “it does not affect the job of the government in taking care of its people.”

“Let us continue working for our country. Here in Iloilo, we have a lot of work to do -we are fighting dengue, we are fighting hazardous heat, we are fighting food security. Let us face the threat that we are facing,” he added.Perla Lena/PNA