CICC warns on online reports about rallies 

The Cybercrime Investigation and Coordinating Center (CICC) has urged the public to exercise caution in dealing with online reports about alleged rallies and other public assemblies, amid rising political tensions in the Senate.

In a statement, CICC Undersecretary Renato “Aboy” Paraiso said monitoring efforts have detected online discussions suggesting that certain groups may be organizing rallies across various platforms.

“In light of these developments, the agency encourages Filipinos to be vigilant when consuming and sharing information related to political and religious activities, particularly on social media and messaging platforms,” Paraiso said.

He stressed that misinformation, disinformation, and unverified content circulating online could mislead the public and intensify political divisions.

“Cyberspace is not only a platform for expressing opinions but also a shared space where every Filipino has a responsibility to ensure that the information you consume and share is accurate and constructive,” he said.

Paraiso also reminded the public that constitutional rights such as freedom of expression and peaceful assembly must be exercised responsibly, whether online or in physical gatherings.

He further appealed to organizers, participants, and social media users to avoid spreading content that may incite violence, promote illegal activities, or threaten public safety and order.

“The agency further called on organizers, participants, and social media users to refrain from sharing content that encourages violence, promotes unlawful activities, or encourages actions that could threaten public safety and order,” he said.

He added that responsible online behavior is crucial in maintaining a “safe and constructive cyberspace” and in supporting peace, stability, and national unity during a period of political transition.

“We appeal to Filipino netizens to be discerning and responsible online. Let us not add fuel to confusion, division, or conflict by spreading unverified information or inflammatory content. Instead, let us promote respectful dialogue based on facts and digital responsibility,” he said.

The advisory came as Senate discussions on alleged flood control corruption intensified, with Senator Alan Peter Cayetano and other lawmakers accusing members of a rival bloc of involvement in irregularities linked to infrastructure projects.

Despite tensions, the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee proceeded with its probe after 12 senators declared all committee positions vacant, with hearings on the controversy rescheduled to June 8 under its new chair, Senator Erwin Tulfo.