The fake news spread readily via text messages and Facebook messenger, prompting many to call up city hall for confirmation.
Pamintuan immediately issued a statement, conveyed to his constituents mostly also by text messages and Facebook messenger, appealing to the public “not to believe rumors on security and safety allegedly from city hall.”
“Any announcement and message on any matter will be done through official channels and facebook accounts as well as the city government’s website,” the mayor’s statement said.
Pamintuan, however, said that “just the same, we enjoin everybody to be alert and be safe always.”
The fake news cited “investigation by higher authorities” on alleged threats from “a group of Muslims from Barangay Pampang (Angeles) and from San Isidro in Magalang town.”
Pamintuan said he would ask the National Bureau of Investigation to track down the the initial source of the false news.
