HUMAN Rights Watch Philippines (HRW Philippines) has expressed concern over the recent apprehension of Cebu City-based writer and actor Maria Victoria “Bambi” Beltran allegedly for spreading fake news regarding the local government’s response to the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) pandemic.
The controversial statement posted on Facebook on April 18 said, “9,000 + new cases (all from Zapatera) of Covid-19 in Cebu City in one day. We are now the epicenter in the whole Solar System.”
It was based on Cebu Mayor Edgardo Labella’s move on April 17 to put Barangay Luz under lockdown because of the increase in number of confirmed cases in the entire community of Zapatera, which has a population of over 9,000.
According to Beltran’s camp, her post was satirical in nature sans the intention to cause panic among the netizens.
The local chief executive, however, condemned it as an example of “fake news” violative of the Bayanihan to Heal as One Act.
HRW Philippines sided with Beltran, saying that “it is clearly commentary that was meant to be humorous.”
The group argued that her arrest on April 19 by the joint operation of Regional Intelligence Division 7 and Regional Anti-Cybercrime Unit 7 is an instance of misapplication of the law by government officials.
Even if public officials handling the Covid-19 pandemic are expected to feel stressed, overwhelmed, or aggrieved by criticism, it cited that “misusing the law to violate freedom of expression is a disproportionate and wrong response.”
Nothing in Beltran’s post, it added, can be lawfully interpreted as an obstacle to Cebu’s efforts to contain the spread of the virulent flu.
Local government officials should focus on defeating Covid-19 and provide truthful and accurate public information rather than arrest people on their opinions, HRW Philippines pointed out.
It added that citizens like Beltran have a right to express their thoughts on what’s happening in their surroundings and that state officials must not be tempted to act despotic in responding to those concerns.