Marikina barangay chairman to face charges for fake information on COVID-19

The chairman of a barangay in Marikina will face charges for spreading false information on the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), Mayor Marcelino Teodoro said Thursday.

Barangay Tumana chairman Ziffred Ancheta earlier announced through a Facebook live that a resident of the barangay had contacted COVID-19.

The Marikina City Health Office and the Rescue 161, however, said that the person under investigation —a security guard in Greenhills —was not a positive case.

In a letter to the Department of the Interior and Local Government, Rescue 161 chief Dave David said that Ancheta's actions violated protocols of the health department.

"[Ancheta's actions were] in direct violation of the protocol set forth by the DOH in informing the public about the COVID case thereby causing fear, panic, and trauma to residents of Barangay Tumana," David said.

According to City Health Officer Alberto Herrera, confirmed cases can only be disclosed by the Department of Health (DOH) through the Research Institute for Tropical Medicine.

He added that the DOH is also responsible for informing the concerned local government unit, the city health office, and the City Epidemiological Surveillance Unit to conduct countermeasures against the virus.

This included contact tracing, monitoring of the members and relatives of the patient within 48 to 72 hours, disinfection procedures, and other health measures.

"I am urging everyone to be responsible when posting on social media, especially about COVID-19," Teodoro said.

“This is not the time for panic. During these trying times, we must come together as one family help each other,” he added

Confirmed COVID-19 cases in the country rose to 217 on Thursday with 17 fatalities. —Joahna Lei Casilao/LDF, GMA News