Roque to raise CFR hoax issue with PNP chief

CEBU, Philippines — Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque promised members of Cebu media that he will ask Philippine National Police chief Ronaldo 'Bato' Dela Rosa to check why police in Region 7 failed to file a case against Cebu Flash Report (CFR) on the bomb hoax issue last year.

To recall, CFR posted a bomb alarm n Lapu-Lapu City sometime in July 2017 which caused panic and fear among Cebuanos but was later found out to be a hoax.

The Police Regional Office-7 Cybercrime Division has also investigated the bomb scare and identified the culprits, but no case has been filed against CFR until now.

"This non-filing of the case against CFR, I will bring this to the attention of General Bato. I promise," Roque said before members of the media during the Malacañang Press Briefing in Cebu yesterday.

CFR, a Facebook page which reposts news and photographs posted by online pages of mainstream media without due attribution, was recently attacked by some members of Cebu media.

Roque added that aggrieved parties can file a complaint against CFR before the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), especially those involving copyright issues.

"The internet is a physical manifestation of free market of ideas. Pero pag may nalabag na na batas, people can complain either sa PNP or sa NBI. May pamamaraan ma-trace kung saan nagmula ang unjust infringement of copyright," Roque further said.

Meanwhile, Roque announced the recent improved ranking of the Philippines in the 2018 Henley Passport Index.

Roque said that the country has improved its ranking from 75th to 72nd.

"This means all holders of Philippine passports now enjoy visa-free access to 63 countries," said Roque.

Roque explained that the said index is a global ranking of all the passports based on the number of countries that the passport holder can access visa-free which was released by Henley and Partners, the global leader in residence and planning.

Roque assured everyone that the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) will continue to work towards securing visa-free access of Filipinos to more countries.

As to the continued backlogs on passport appointments by the DFA, Roque said that the government is exerting efforts to improve the process of passport applications.

Roque said the Philippine passport with ten-year validity was launched the other day by the DFA, which is planning several improvements on its passport system to make it more convenient for the public.

He added that the DFA also plans to deploy four 'Passporting on Wheels' vehicles starting this month to decongest the consular offices in Manila.

DFA, Roque said, will continue to deploy Mobile Passporting Services in key locations nationwide.

He further said that DFA is now working towards the implementation of an ePayment System and a strict implementation of the courtesy lane for those who are entitled by law such as senior citizens, persons with disabilities, minors and pregnant women.

On the bid of the Duterte administration to get rid of corruption, Roque said President Rodrigo Duterte will soon announce the government officials and police generals who will be fired.

Roque did not reveal the names but assured the announcement will be made soon as the decision has already been made. (FREEMAN)