A fake Facebook account impersonating local media outlets and the city information office has been spreading false information about Mayor Rolando ‘Klarex’ Uy and Barangay Carmen Chair Ranier Joaquin ‘Kapkik’ Uy since last week, drawing scrutiny and concern from officials and the public.
Many individuals have contacted GSD reporters and staff to confirm the authenticity of the posts, including denials from Magnum Radio and the City Information Office (CIO).
The discovery of the fake page surprised many, especially since it used the local dialect rather than English, which is typically used in media.
On Monday, another misleading post confused the public by falsely attributing statements to Mayor Uy.
In response, GSD quickly clarified that the information was not from its official FB page and website.
“We encourage our readers to be cautious about what they see on social media. Let’s fight disinformation,” said GSD Editor-in-Chief Cong B. Corrales.
Meanwhile, a source who wished to remain anonymous and is referred to as ‘Liz’ provided some insights about the possible creator of the fake page.
“Don’t quote me, but I’m not sure if this was done by him. He’s part of a political team in the city. He still works at City Hall as a regular employee, but I think he’s assigned to the office of a former department head outside City Hall,” Liz said.
According to her, someone named ‘Condeza’ may be linked to the fake page. She mentioned that Condeza had previously produced campaign videos for a high-ranking official, some of which were not accurate.
“Condeza is a photographer skilled in DSLR and digital cameras. He used to work with that official, even when he was not yet in the city,” Liz added, noting that Condeza was also part of the CIO under the previous administration.
Acting City Information Officer Ian A. Fuentes expressed concern over the situation, stating that misinformation often serves personal and political interests.
“This misuse of government-affiliated social media pages is a growing issue,” said Fuentes, adding that digital platforms play an important role in sharing information, and the public must verify content before sharing.
He urged city residents to remain alert and not be misled by false information.
Fuentes said the CIO continues to monitor the situation and encourages the public to report any suspicious posts that could confuse the community.
As fake news spreads quickly, Fuentes reminds everyone to think critically and verify information before sharing.
“Transparency and accountability are essential to ensuring that residents of Cagayan de Oro receive truthful and reliable news,” Fuentes said.
