SOCIAL media is sometimes not being used for good purposes. And this became evident when fake news about a ‘serial killer’ loitering in the streets of Tondo and shooting anyone at random went viral recently.
The rumor mill, as expected, was highly active and spread like wildfire in the city, causing tension among residents.
Mayor Honey Lacuna was quick to nip the problem in the bud when she immediately went public to allay the residents’ unfounded fears and appealed to them to not easily fall for anything they read or see on social media.
“Wag po kayo basta-basta naniniwala sa mga nababasa ninyo sa social media. Alam nyo naman po na ang social media minsan po talaga ay hindi nagagamit sa tamang paraan,” she said.
The mayor said that while crimes happen even in other cities, the Manila Police District (MPD), through Director PBGen. Andre Dizon, has assured that the police will be on its toes 24/7, providing security in the country’s capital city.
According to Lacuna, Dizon had categorically assured her that the city of Manila would remain peaceful and in order even as heightened police visibility is also being enforced.
MPD Chief Dizon flatly branded as fake news the viral information circulating on social media that there is a serial killer on the loose in Tondo.
He also said it is something that should not be magnified or even shared on social media.
Mayor Honey and the MPD chief held a joint press conference where they presented an alias ‘Joel Blandy,’ whose picture landed on social media where he was tagged as the alleged serial killer.
Blandy vehemently denied the accusation saying while he was indeed the person in the photo, he is not a serial killer. Witnesses also came forward to declare his innocence.
Operatives from the Manila Police District-Station 1 under station commander Col. Jhun Ibay arrested a member of a “gun-for-hire” gang said to be responsible for the two latest shooting incidents which resulted in two deaths in Balut, Tondo, Manila. He was identified as Jayjay Martelino, alias ‘Pusod’ while his alleged cohort, identified only as ‘Ivan’ remains at large. Martelino was earlier nabbed in Caloocan City.
It was learned that the suspects’ group is responsible for the viral video which identified ‘Joel Blandy’ as an alleged ‘serial killer’.
Upon investigation, Ibay said that as it turns out, the group of Martelino made up the video and fake news which they posted on Facebook to get back at ‘Blandy’ who happens to be their enemy.
“Malinaw sa nakuha naming intelligence information that these young boys’ group numbering about 10 persons is trying to make a name for themselves, walang takot pumatay kasi meron silang financier at nagbibigay ng armas at baril sa mga grupo na yan at ginagawang taga- tumba ng bigtime drug pusher na kasalukuyang nakakulong” Ibay had said.
Still based on information gathered by Ibay, Martelino and his partner Ivan were paid P50,000 for their last job together. They were reportedly paid and even given firearms by a woman employee of a bigtime drug pusher.
Their job was to kill someone whose identity will be supplied by a ‘contact’ who is currently incarcerated in Camp Bagong Diwa in Bicutan, Taguig.
After learning that Martelino had been arrested, ten more of his alleged cohorts were said to have gone into hiding.
We live in a country where many lack education, many are jobless and as a result, many are preoccupied with rumors. This is sad but true.
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