National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) Director Jaime Santiago was shocked by the news that First Lady Liza Marcos was arrested in Los Angeles, California, USA. According to Santiago, he cannot believe the spread of this type of fake news, which he said is shocking and unbelievable.

In a statement, Santiago said, “What is surprising about such fake news? Instead of us staying silent, they are making up another story. It seems that we cannot understand what they want to happen. But there is evidence that ma’am was here since eleven.”

The fake news first spread on social media, particularly on Facebook pages, which claimed that First Lady Marcos was arrested in Los Angeles. According to the posts, Marcos’ arrest was just part of a plan to use the arrest of former President Rodrigo Duterte at the International Criminal Court (ICC). According to those who spread the information, this was a tactic to cover up the issue of Duterte’s arrest.

Santiago added that he also referred to the behavior of those who spread this type of news, saying, “They should stop, and maybe when they are arrested and they cry, they will say freedom of expression, freedom of the press, that’s it.”

Santiago pointed out that there are times when people who spread false information become bold, but when they are the ones who experience legal action, they start hiding behind rights like “freedom of expression” and “freedom of the press.”

It can be recalled that Santiago has warned several times about the spread of fake news, and he also denied that the said information about the First Lady is untrue. According to him, they are already taking steps to curb this type of false information, and cases are being prepared against vloggers who continue to spread fake news.

It is also important for Santiago to note that this type of misinformation is not just a simple issue of freedom of expression, but a serious violation of the rights of individuals. According to him, such news causes confusion among the public and causes misunderstanding, so steps are needed to ensure that such false news does not continue.

Santiago also warned those spreading fake news that the government has legal measures to prosecute and punish them. This type of misinformation, according to Santiago, not only affects the people or institutions that are directly targeted, but also the entire society that is affected by the false information.

As the NBI continues to monitor the issue of fake news, Santiago showed their determination to hold accountable those who create and spread fake news. Such steps are an indication that the agency is serious in its goal of protecting the integrity of information and protecting citizens from false news.