The Department of Justice has ordered the National Bureau of Investigation to investigate and build up a case on the spread of misinformation and fake news about the novel coronavirus-acute respiratory disease (2019-nCoV ARD) in the country.
“The NBI through Director Dante Gierran is hereby directed and granted authority to conduct an investigation and case build-up on the alleged deliberate spread of misinformation and fake news about the 2019-nCoV ARD and false reporting of [nCoV ARD] cases,” Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra said, in a Department Order No. 052 dated Feb. 4.
“If evidence warrants, file the appropriate charges against persons found responsible therefor,” Guevarra added.
Justice Undersecretary Markk Perete, who is also DOJ’s spokesperson, said as part of the NBI’s investigation, “all leads will have to be considered, including those presented at the Senate.”
Perete admitted that they cannot specifically mention any specific case or violations that can be filed.
“These [charges] will depend on the evidence gathered during the investigation process,” Perete stressed.
Guevarra also instructed the NBI to provide technical assistance to the Department of Health in the contact tracing of individuals who may have interacted with the persons confirmed to have been infected with 2019-nCoV ARD.
Guevarra told the NBI Director to submit reports on the progress of the investigation and assistance within 30 days.