MANILA, Philippines – Justice Secretary Leila de Lima warned people who are spreading false information on a supposed Ebola virus outbreak in the country may face criminal charges.

She issued the warning on Monday, November 10, days after the health department belied a supposed report online posted by a certain “Gemma Sheridan” that there are a number of Ebola cases in Quezon City now. 

The Department of Health requested for the investigation, the justice secretary said.

De Lima said that under Presidential Decree No. 90 of 1973, rumor-mongering and spreading false information are punishable offenses. 

“We’re looking into that. I am tasking the Office of the Cybercrime of (Department of Justice) and Anti-Cybercrime Division of (National Bureau of Investigation) to investigate that,” she told reporters in a text messsage.

The one who posted the false information will also be liable under Republic Act No. 10175 or the Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012, said De Lima. 

“Under Section 6 of the Cybercrime Prevention Act, all crimes defined and penalized by the Revised Penal Code, as amended, and special laws, if committed by, through, and with the use of information and communications technologies, are covered by the relevant provisions of said law,” she said.

De Lima said those who shared the original posts are considered to have aided the spread of the false information and could also be held liable under the cybercrime law.

The government appealed to the public not to spread “unconfirmed and baseless reports,” especially about a deadly disease like Ebola. – Rappler.com