In a significant move to combat the proliferation of false information, the Davao de Oro Provincial Police Office (DDOPPO) has taken a proactive step by hosting a major consultative forum. The event brought together key community sectors to forge a united front against misinformation and its associated dangers.
Uniting Against a Digital Threat
The Anti-Fake News Consultative Forum was successfully conducted on November 6, 2024, at the Dimalupig Hall within the DDOPPO headquarters in Nabunturan. This initiative, part of a broader rollout by the Police Regional Office-Davao, saw the participation of approximately 45 individuals representing a cross-section of society.
Attendees included members of the local media, various government agencies, non-government organizations, and police personnel from different municipal stations across the province. The forum's core mission was to foster collaboration between public and private entities in the ongoing battle against fake news.
Strengthening the Campaign Through Collaboration
Police Colonel Cesario Dukiling Jr., the provincial director of DDOPPO, emphasized the critical need for a community-wide effort. He stated that the forum was initiated to encourage all sectors to join the fight. "At our level, we strengthen our campaign against fake news with the collaboration and cooperation of our partner agencies," PCol. Dukiling explained, highlighting the cooperative spirit of the endeavor.
The event featured a series of informative lectures designed to equip participants with the knowledge to identify and counter false information. Key presentations included:
- The Philippine Information Agency (PIA) on the Anatomy of False Information.
- The National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) on Journalism Ethics.
- The Cybercrime Investigation Coordinating Center (CICC) and Regional Anti-Cybercrime Unit (RACU) on the Challenges in Cybercrime Investigation.
Media Pledges Support and Vigilance
Gilbert Paalisbo, president of the Davao de Oro Peace Press Corps, stood in solidarity with the initiative, committing the media's role as a government partner. He outlined a practical plan for action, stating that their group would work together to prevent the spread of false news.
"We will be helping to prevent the spread of false information, and we should filter it through our group, in the group chat, where we fact-check all the information that comes out from all the media outlets here in the province of Davao de Oro," Paalisbo said. This commitment underscores the media's crucial responsibility in verifying information before dissemination.
This forum in Davao de Oro is a direct implementation of a larger campaign that was first initiated by the Police Regional Office-Davao on August 19, with provincial and city police offices conducting their own sessions throughout November.
