PNP probes fake Marcos medical bulletin circulating online

The Philippine National Police Anti-Cybercrime Group on Wednesday said it has formed a team to investigate fake medical test results about President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. that have been circulating online.

In a press briefing at Camp Crame, ACG Director Brig. Gen. Wilson Asueta said the group has mobilized personnel to conduct cyber patrolling and coordinate with other government agencies to identify those behind the disinformation.

“Mayroon kaming ibinuo na team for that purpose. I already assigned them to collaborate and cooperate with other agencies responsible for this investigation,” Asueta told reporters.

“We are tasked to conduct investigative support so we conducted cyber patrolling and we will find out kasi yung pinag-usapan doon fake documents so kami naman more on online aspect ng investigation,” he added.

The fabricated medical bulletin claimed that the President was suffering from “severe sigmoid diverticulitis” that allegedly worsened due to drug use and required urgent surgical consultation.

Last week, both the Presidential Communications Office and St. Luke’s Medical Center, whose logo appeared on the purported document, confirmed that the circulating test results were fake.

PNP Chief Gen. Jose Melencio C. Nartatez Jr. condemned the circulation of the false medical bulletin, calling it “disrespectful, insensitive and gross violation of the law.”

While acknowledging the public’s right to free expression, Nartatez said the creation and spread of falsified documents targeting any individual is malicious and unlawful.

“This must be looked into because it is clearly aimed at misleading the public,” he said, urging social media users to act responsibly.

Asked whether the ACG has already identified personalities behind the fake document, Asueta declined to provide details, citing the ongoing investigation.

However, he said individuals found responsible could face charges under Article 154 of the Revised Penal Code, which covers unlawful use of means of publication and unlawful utterances, as well as Article 172 on the use of falsified documents.