By Christopher Lloyd Caliwan
MANILA – The Philippine National Police (PNP) has intensified online surveillance and enforcement against individuals and groups exploiting drought-related concerns through deceptive claims and fraudulent marketing of water treatment products.
PNP chief Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. directed the Anti-Cybercrime Group (ACG) to step up monitoring of online scams involving water purification products and other fraudulent offers targeting vulnerable consumers.
“The PNP will investigate individuals or groups that spread misleading claims about water purification products if these are used to defraud the public,” Nartatez said in a statement Monday.
The directive came as the Office of Civil Defense (OCD) reported ongoing coordination with government agencies to address inaccurate information and speculations circulating online about water shortages and water purification products.
As of Oct. 11, El Niño had affected 451,889 individuals, or 121,185 families, in 1,019 barangays across six regions, the OCD said.
Government preparations include prepositioning water lorries and identifying alternative sources of potable water and irrigation to help communities cope with prolonged dry conditions.
Nartatez also ordered police regional offices and local police units to coordinate with the Department of Trade and Industry, local government units and other concerned agencies to verify and act on complaints involving water hoarding, profiteering and consumer fraud.
“The PNP’s cybercrime and investigation units are monitoring online activities related to possible scams and deceptive schemes arising from the water situation. We encourage the public to report suspicious sellers and misleading advertisements to authorities immediately,”
