Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Gen. Jose Melencio C. Nartatez Jr. on Thursday tasked the Anti-Cybercrime Group (ACG) to identify those responsible for the manufacture and social media posting of a fake medical bulletin involving President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.

Nartatez said the ACG will mobilize a team to investigate and coordinate with other agencies to hold accountable those behind the attempt to mislead the public.

“I have already tasked the PNP-ACG to help in the conduct of investigation aimed at identifying those responsible for this. This is really disrespectful, insensitive, and a gross violation of the law,” Nartatez said during the celebration of PNP Day at Camp Crame.

The Presidential Communications Office (PCO) earlier condemned the circulation of fabricated medical documents and warned the public about their real intent.

“The document being circulated is FAKE. It did not originate from any legitimate medical examination of the President and does not reflect his current health condition. The President is well, fully capable of discharging his official responsibilities, and continues to actively perform his duties,” the PCO said.

“The deliberate spread of falsified medical information is irresponsible, deceptive, and a clear violation of the President’s right to privacy. It unnecessarily alarms the public and undermines trust in institutions,” it added.

The PCO said appropriate legal options are being reviewed in connection with the circulation of fabricated documents and false information.

St. Luke’s Medical Center, which was alleged to have issued the records, said the circulating medical document is fake and falsified, stressing that the institution strictly upholds patient confidentiality and data privacy.

The hospital said President Marcos is well, fully capable of discharging his official responsibilities, and continues to actively perform his duties.

St. Luke’s also released a statement categorically denying the authenticity of the document.

Nartatez said that while the PNP understands the political situation and fully respects freedom of expression, the manufacture and circulation of fake documents targeting anyone is malicious and in violation of the law.

“This must be looked into because it is clearly aimed at misleading the public. While we in the PNP fully respect the freedom of expression of every Filipino and every netizen, we are certain that this kind of action is not part of that freedom,” he said.

Nartatez urged netizens to be responsible in the use of social media.

“Malaki ang tulong at pakinabang ng mga social media platforms sa ating lahat but their use comes with a responsibility,” he said. (“Social media platforms are a big help and benefit to all of us, but their use comes with responsibility.”)

“Hindi natin ito ginagamit para manira ng tao, Presidente man o ordinaryong tao, lalo na kung ang impormasyong pinapakalat ay hindi totoo,” he emphasized. (“We do not use this to destroy a person, whether the President or an ordinary citizen, especially if the information being spread is not true.”)

Meanwhile, Executive Secretary Ralph Recto, who represented the President at the occasion, said Marcos is in good health after being under observation due to diverticulitis.

In an interview with reporters at Camp Crame, Quezon City, Recto said Marcos lost some weight after being placed on a soft diet for several days as ordered by his doctors.

“Maayos naman ang Presidente. Maraming trabaho ngayon, especially sa paperwork, maraming kailangang pirmahan at basahin. Ang sabi ng kanyang mga doktor magpahinga ng isang linggo,” Recto said. (“The President is doing well. There is a lot of work now, especially paperwork, with many documents to sign and read. His doctors advised him to rest for a week.”)

“Looks like pumayat siya. Palagay ko naman kung kayong lahat ay kumain ng sabaw ng tatlo, apat, limang araw ay talagang papayat ka,” he added. (“It looks like he lost weight. I think if all of you ate only soup for three, four, or five days, you would really lose weight.”)

Recto said Marcos is likely to order an investigation into the spread of documents online pertaining to his condition.

Malacañang earlier released a video of Marcos playing with the family dog, Oreo, amid rumors that he underwent surgery.

Marcos said he was advised by his doctors to take it slow.

“Binigyan lang ako ng mga gamot at patuloy pa rin ‘yung aking antibiotics. Pero okay na ako. In fact, nakapag-EDC Economic and Development Council meeting na kami nung Lunes with most of the Cabinet,” the President said. (“I was only given medication and I am still on antibiotics. But I am already okay. In fact, we already held an Economic and Development Council meeting on Monday with most of the Cabinet.”)

“So I’m back in. Pero medyo nagtatampo sa akin yung mga doktor ko kasi sabi nila huwag muna. Sabi ko hindi ko naman puwedeng pag-antayin lahat ng nangyayari. So tinuloy ko na lang,” he added. (“So I am back. My doctors are a bit upset because they told me to wait, but I said I cannot put everything on hold, so I continued.”)