From fake Facebook profiles to fake death threats? UPLB receives criticism on social media

  MANILA – Hundreds of people left comments criticizing a social group of University of the Philippines-Los Banos (UPLB) for allegedly fabricating a death threat against one of its volunteers as protests against a new anti-terrorism bill heated up in the Philippines. The case against Defend UPLB unraveled after the group claimed that one of its volunteers had received a death threat on his mobile phone. The group also posted a screenshot of the alleged incident. Alert social media users, however, pointed out that the mobile number used to send the death threat was the same number that Defend UPLB used in its promotional poster. As of Monday (June 8), Defend UPLB had taken down the post “to avoid any possible misguided exaction of accountability” and vowed to “thoroughly investigate” the incident. The group also denied it had faked the death threat, but admitted “oversight on our part to vet the reports”. In a follow up post that was also deleted, the volunteer, Ray Silvestre Binas, sought to clear allegations of fraud, claiming that he had disposed of his mobile phone with his Sim card on it last April, hinting that it may have been used by whoever found it to harass him. Binas said he has asked authorities to investigate the matter. However, social media users were not convinced with the explanations of UPLB and Binas, calling them “liars” in a landslide of comments on the group’s Facebook page. “You are an embarrassment to UP community. This kind of alibi?” Bree Pidwana commented. “I always look up to this school but right now just admit that you are fabricating all these ghost accounts and fake death threats,” said Ronald Quileste. “Pathetic. Show us proof, but 'till then you’re just a bunch of liars,” Jemel Allen Aberin echoed. Many also demanded accountability from the group for causing public distrust. “Hold someone accountable or just dissolve this movement. It has done and will be making more damage than any help to the cause,” said Marlou Mico Malabuyod. “We demand accountability. You can’t create a Citizen Watch Page and then push for your own agenda. You should be true to your vision,” said Kim Galanto. Mika Feliciano, another Facebook user, said UPLB’s moves will discredit others with real concerns. “People have been legitimately receiving threats and because of this incident any more threats received in the future will be discredited. This is ridiculous,” Feliciano said. Since Sunday, dozens of Filipinos have complained about fake accounts using their names, with some claiming to have received threats for joining online protests against the new anti-terrorism bill. The state-run University of the Philippines was the first to issue an alert against the dummy accounts, asking its students, officials and alumni to check their accounts and file reports with Facebook. "Following protests (against the new anti-terrorism bill) in UP campuses and threats to our students, there are now multiple reports of empty, duplicate and fake accounts bearing the names of UP students,” the university said in an advisory. "We express our utmost alarm since these accounts are suspected to cause harm or spread false information,” it added. Some users whose accounts were duplicated also reportedly received threats from the fake accounts: "We will get all of you! You and your online protests!” The Philippine Congress is currently deliberating a new anti-terrorism bill, which President Rodrigo Duterte certified as urgent, but critics warned could stifle free speech. CLM/Expat Media
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