Police brushes aside alleged ISIS presence in Iloilo City

The Police Regional Office 6 (PRO-6) here is urging public support and cooperation to stop the spread of information about the “alleged presence of ISIS who are planning to launch attacks” in this city.

“The messages spreading around are all fake news. We would like to request those who have received and will receive these messages to stop spreading this information,” according to the Police Regional Office 6 as relayed by its spokesperson, Supt. Joem Malong on Wednesday.

The regional headquarters urged the public not to become part of “spreading fake news and unverified information to prevent panic and sowing fear”.

“Instead of spreading fake news, help us by reporting suspicious personalities, strangers and unscrupulous individuals in your communities,” Malong said.

Early Wednesday morning, text messages and information warning the public to avoid Jaro Plaza and the Cathedral because they are the targets of the ISIS spread among the public.

Malong, in her Facebook account, emphasized the she was not responsible for spreading the information “because it’s fake and could cause panic”.

“Please quit using my name spreading this news that it’s as if it came from me,” she appealed.

The fake text messages appeared as thousands of Marian devotees from various parts of the country are expected to gather at the National Shrine of Our Lady of Candles for the Feast of the Our Lady of Candles this February 2.

The Marian image was “canonically crowned” by the Blessed John Paul II on February 20, 1981 and was named “Patroness of Western Visayas” by Saint Pope John Paul II on April 21, 1982.

Source: PNA