A text warning netizens about possible bombings in some areas of Davao City has been shared on Facebook (FB) and private messaging platforms. This is not true. The Davao City Police (DCPO) is now tracking the source of this false information .
The same text circulated online in 2016.
On Jan. 31, a FB user posted a text claiming that a terror act will happen on a “Sunday” in certain places in Davao City. The text read:
“To all residents of davao, this source was from a reliable friend who lived in jolo, Sulo..
Brod, paki alerto mo diha sa Davao ako mismo nakadungog nanawag ang taga taas na ig agaw sa amoang silingan ang Abreeza, SM sa Lanang San Pedro nga simbahan inyong terminal, palengke sa bangkerohan, Gaisano mall og katong Matina crossing ang bombahan nila karong dommingo. Bay ayaw kahadlok og plastar sa mensahe para daghan maluwas (Brother, please be alert in Davao. I myself heard that a person from above called (to say) that the neighborhood in Abreeza, SM in Lanang, the church and terminal in San Pedro, the market in Bankerohan, Gaisano mall and Matina crossing will be bombed this Sunday. Don’t be afraid to spread the message so that many can be saved).
Pls extend this message to all Dabawenyos. Don’t let evil win. magkaisa tayong mga taga Davao (We, Davao people, should unite).”
Several netizens were alarmed while others asked about the claim’s legitimacy.
On Feb. 1, the DCPO debunked the post as “fake news.”
“Davao City Police urge the people of Davao City to coordinate with us by providing any information to locate the source of false information causing panic and fear among residents. We humbly request not to spread fake news or believe unreliable sources,” a portion of the statement read.
The DCPO also warned netizens of the legal repercussions of sharing false information online.
The same text started circulating online as early as Sept. 3, 2016, a day after the explosion at the Roxas Night Market in Davao City that killed 17 people.
The message resurfaced days after a prayer rally was held in the city where former president Rodrigo Duterte alleged that President Bongbong Marcos was on the drug watchlist of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency. PDEA has since denied the allegation. (Read Rodrigo Duterte’s claim that President Marcos is on PDEA narco-list is baseless)
VERA Files Fact Check also debunked a similar false text warning netizens about a ‘second war’ in Mindanao that reemerged last December. (Read FALSE post about ‘second war’ in Mindanao resurfaces)
FB user Davao Spotted’s (created on Oct. 11, 2023) post was shared 675 times by netizens. Other FB netizens also reposted the same text.
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(Editor’s Note: VERA Files has partnered with Facebook to fight the spread of disinformation. Find out more about this partnership and our methodology.)
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