MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine National Police (PNP) has filed criminal charges against a Cebu-based optometrist for allegedly spreading false information on the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) on social media.

The PNP Anti-Cybercrime Group (PNP-ACG) has tracked down and identified Josephil Brian Consuelo, an optometrist in Mandaue City, who allegedly wrote a Facebook post claiming that a patient who tested positive of COVID-19 has died at the University of Cebu Medical Center (UCMed).

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He was arrested last Thursday, Feb. 13, the PNP said.

The reports were also found to be false, as attested by UCMed’s Human Resource and Legal Officer.

Cases for violation of Article 154 of the Revised Penal Code in relation to Section 6 and Section 4(c) 4 (Online Libel) of the Republic Act 10175 or the Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012 has been filed against Consuelo, PNP-ACG Director Brig. Gen. Dennis Agustin said.

Violators of the said law are penalized with arresto mayor and a fine ranging from P40,000 to P200,000 or imprisonment for a minimum period of four years and one day to a maximum of eight years per offense.

PNP chief Gen. Archie Gamboa assured that the PNP-ACG will continue to take action against misinformation through cyber-patrol operations and monitoring on all social media platforms.

“We urge the public to refrain from posting unverified information that creates panic and confusion and we will file criminal charges to those proven spreading these false reports,” Gamboa said in a statement.

READ: PNP to intensify online monitoring vs fake news

The PNP-ACG earlier said that it is verifying six posts on social media for alleged disinformation on the COVID-19.

READ: PNP verifying 6 social media posts for nCoV disinformation

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