TABUK CITY, Kalinga – The Tabuk City Council is preparing to draft a manifesto through a resolution condemning the dissemination of fake news erroneously alleging that Tabuk subtribes are at war in the province.
Councilor Sandra Uyam warned of the dangers of misinformation, particularly on social media platforms such as Facebook, in her privileged speech during the Sangguniang Panlungsod session last Tuesday. Uyam emphasized that this misinformation endangers the peace and security in the province by instilling fear, mistrust, and unrest among tribal cultural groups, particularly those mistakenly tied to the alleged conflict.
“The spread of fake news not only undermines the efforts of the local government to address tribal issues but also creates a false narrative that authorities have done nothing to resolve them.” This, she said, has contributed to growing distrust among communities directly affected by the misleading information. She articulated apprehensions regarding the detrimental perception that the erroneous claims are fostering among the populace of Kalinga, and has spread to nearby provinces, which may deter prospective tourists and investors.
The council’s proposed manifesto will condemn the proliferation of fake news and stipulate specific sanctions for anybody convicted of spreading false information. To ensure accountability, the council plans to collaborate with the local cybercrime office to trace the individuals responsible for spreading harmful contents online. Furthermore, the council seeks the assistance of media outlets in informing the public about the true situation in Kalinga following the recent shooting incidents. Contrary to popular belief, they stated that the regrettable incident will not affect other people because it was an isolated shooting.
In a related matter, Tabuk City Mayor Darwin Estrañero urged netizens to be responsible when sharing information on tribal conflicts during last Monday’s flag-raising ceremony. He urged Tabukeños to avoid using the term “tribal war” and instead focus on sharing positive news about Tabuk’s progress and potential for investment. “Why do people claim that our city is dangerous when the truth is, this was an isolated shooting incident? Compared to other places, we hear of killings more often,” Mayor Estrañero remarked.
He called for an end to the stigma of tribal conflict, especially as Tabuk City and Kalinga are home to a culturally diverse population. He also noted that inter-tribal marriages are common in the area, further strengthening the community’s unity.
The proposed city council manifesto and Mayor Estrañero’s call to action seek to redirect public attention to peace and development in the city and the province. By Jesse Maguiya
