Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. on Monday, April 6, reaffirmed the PNP’s commitmen t to support the national government in fighting energy-related disinformation amid a series of oil price hikes in recent weeks.
Nartatez said the PNP is intensifying efforts to curb fake news, including reports allegedly meant to mislead the public on the Middle East conflict’s impact on oil supply and the economy, which could trigger unwarranted panic.
“The situation in the Middle East is a serious matter, and any attempt to exploit it to trigger unwarranted panic among our countrymen must be addressed. We will not allow this,” Nartatez said.
He added that misinformation about energy security, supply, and pricing can mislead communities and erode public confidence. The PNP Anti-Cybercrime Group has been tasked to intensify monitoring of pages and accounts used for disinformation campaigns.
Nartatez said criminal charges will be filed against those responsible for spreading harmful disinformation.
Local police units have also been directed to use their social media accounts to counter false reports and prevent their spread online, while the public was urged to be responsible in sharing information.
A House leader on Monday backed Malacañang’s warning, saying the deliberate spread of disinformation during the energy emergency poses a direct threat to national stability and must be met with swift legal action.
Lanao del Sur Rep. Zia Alonto Adiong, chair of the House Committee on Suffrage and Electoral Reforms, issued the statement following the PCO’s announcement that charges would be filed against individuals spreading false information on energy supply, pricing, and security.
The Palace warning came after a false advisory about an alleged “energy lockdown” circulated online, fueling confusion as the government responds to global supply shocks and rising fuel costs linked to Middle East tensions.
“This is not mere misinformation. This is a direct attack on public order and national stability,” Adiong said.
He warned that false claims about energy supply and pricing could incite panic, disrupt economic activity, and undermine government efforts to manage the crisis.
Adiong urged the public to rely on verified government advisories and credible sources, stressing that safeguarding accurate information is a shared responsibility as authorities intensify monitoring and enforcement against online disinformation.
