Be vigilant against fake news – Go
Senator Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go warned the public not to fall victim to fake news and disinformation being pushed by those who wish to take advantage of the vulnerabilities of Filipinos as the election season approaches.
Go, chairman of the Senate Health committee, said certain groups are simply trying to sow hatred and divisiveness in order to push their political agenda and vested interests.
“Inaasahan ko na yan ngayong papunta na tayo sa eleksyon (I already expected this as we near the elections).Walang katapusang kasinungalingan at pagpapakalat ng fake news na naman mula sa mga grupong walang ginawa kundi manira ng kapwa. Wala pong katotohanan lahat yan (Endless lies and fake news from certain groups trying to sow hatred and divisiveness will intensify. Those are all lies),” Go lamented.
“Asahan niyo na lang kung may lalabas pa na ganyang litrato, tsismis, o haka-haka, puro na yan fake news (Expect more pictures, intrigues and speculations will come out, these are all fake news). Ano pa ba mai-expect natin sa kalaban na walang magandang maipagmamalaki kaya pilit na nanghihila ng kapwa pababa para sila ang umangat (What can you expect from adversaries who have nothing good to say, they try to bring a person down so they would be on top),” Go added.
He called on Filipinos to stay vigilant and validate information being spread in various communication channels in order not to be victimized by black propaganda.
“Hayaan na lang natin ang taumbayan na ang humusga kung sino ang tunay na nagtatrabaho, sino ang nagmamalasakit, at sino ang talagang nagseserbisyo sa bayan (Let the people be the judge as to who is really working, who cares, and who really are in the service of the nation),” Go said.
“Hindi niyo na po maloloko ang mga Pilipino (You cannot fool the Filipinos). Alam ng mga tao kung sino ang mga naninira lamang — yung mga gustong pinturahan kami ng itim at dumihan ang pangalan namin ni Pangulong Duterte para sila ang magmukhang malinis at maputi (People know who are spreading lies, those who paint us black, and taint my name and that of President Duterte so they would look clean and white),” he added.
Go said he would not be surprised if more fictitious claims would arise in the coming days.
He said this style of dirty politics is nothing new, especially coming from those who only want to discredit the efforts of the government.
Go also reiterated that he has no interest in running for President in the upcoming elections despite the trust and support given to him by his partymates and supporters. Hence, he said he finds it irrelevant that he is being targeted by those spreading falsehoods.
Go assured Filipinos that despite various issues thrown against the administration, they remain focused on fulfilling their mandate and in leading the country towards overcoming the pandemic.