PRO-7 set to file case vs lawyer

CEBU, Philippines — The Police Regional Office (PRO)-7 is set to file charges against the arrested lawyer who posted unverified names of COVID-19 patients.

"I think the court will be open this morning, we will file a case against him," Police Brigadier General Albert Ignatius Ferro, PRO-7 Director, said.

Lawyer Rommel Rosito was arrested last Friday morning at Fairview Hills, Basak Pardo, Cebu City for posting unverified list of patients’ names who allegedly tested positive for COVID-19.

Ferro said that they will coordinate with the Department of Health (DOH)-7 to determine about the list, as the health department is the proper agency to verify it.

Ferro, however, said that whether the list of names was true or not, the arrested lawyer is not the right person to disseminate it.

"We would like information (to flow) freely but we have to follow the proper chain of the channel that will give the information. Ang ato lang advise sa atong mga kababayan diri sa Cebu na di nata mag disseminate ug mga information if you are not the proper authority," he said.

Ferro also warned the people who would author and share fake news, as they have intensified their monitoring against the spreading of false information.

The lawyer had earlier said he does not regret about the incident and said that he did it to save lives.  While Ferro understood the lawyer’s intention, the former said Rosito does not have any authority to release such information.

"Abogado man siya, so he knows the law," Ferro said.

Rosito had first claimed to reporters that the list of the names was sent to a group chat last March 26.

He added that he posted it with the intention to save lives in order to remind people to avoid the persons listed.

Meanwhile, Police Colonel Hector Grijaldo, Cebu City Police Office (CCPO) Director, said they have already filed the complaint against Cebu City Councilor Niña Mabatid who also posted alleged unverified information that seven persons allegedly tested positive for COVID-19.

The complaint against Mabatid was filed last Friday and was received by the city prosecutor's office, Grijaldo said.  GAN (FREEMAN)