Malacañang on Monday pushed back against disinformation online suggesting a surge in kidnappings in the country, firmly declaring that there is no widespread kidnapping spree, and warning the public against falling for fake news peddlers who seek to distort facts surrounding the resolution of the high-profile Anson Que case.

Presidential Communications Office (PCO) Undersecretary and Palace Press Officer Atty. Claire Castro addressed the issue following the recent arrest of three suspects involved in the abduction and killing of Filipino-Chinese businessman Anson Que and his driver, Armanie Pabillo.

“Because of the President’s directive and the swift action of the PNP Anti-Kidnapping Group, the three suspects involved in the abduction and murder of Mr. Anson Que and his driver have been arrested,” Castro said in Filipino.

She confirmed that one of the suspects, David Tan Liao, is a Chinese national allegedly linked to operations targeting individuals with unpaid debts to Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs). All three suspects — Liao, Ricardo Austria David, and Raymart Catequista — now face charges of kidnapping for ransom with homicide.

Despite the breakthrough in the case, Castro lamented the persistence of online narratives claiming the arrests were staged.

“Some are saying that the suspects are just fall guys, and that what’s being reported by the government and mainstream media is fake,” Castro said. “This is harmful. Let’s work together to stop the spread of fake news.”

She warned that disinformation not only undermines law enforcement efforts but also misleads the public.

“When fake news spreads, it influences how we make decisions — and that’s dangerous,” she added.

Echoing the position of the Philippine National Police, Castro underscored that Que’s killing was not part of a broader wave of kidnappings.

“Let’s be clear: there is no widespread kidnapping spree. That is simply not true,” Castro said.

She quoted PNP Chief General Rommel Francisco Marbil earlier saying, “These are isolated, calculated acts rooted in personal and financial vendettas. The situation is firmly under control, our law enforcement strategies are effective, criminal networks are being taken down.”

The incident has fueled debate over the current administration’s approach to crime. Critics, especially on social media, have accused the government of being too lenient — a claim countered by recent data from the PNP showing a 26.76 percent decrease in focus-crime cases compared to the same period last year.