TABUK CITY COUNCIL CONDEMNS FAKE NEWS ON ALLEGED TRIBAL WAR IN KALINGA

October 19, 2024 Provincial

TABUK CITY, Kalinga Province

The Tabuk City Council is set to draft a manifesto through a resolution condemning the spread of fake news falsely
claiming that a tribal war is happening in the Province of Kalinga. In a privileged speech during the Sangguniang
Panlungsod session last Tuesday, Councilor Sandra Uyam warned of the dangers posed by misinformation,
particularly on social media platforms like Facebook. Uyam stressed that this disinformation threatens peace and stability in Kalinga, creating fear, mistrust, and unrest among indigenous cultural groups, especially the tribes falsely linked to the alleged conflict.

“The spread of fake news not only undermines the efforts of the local government to address tribal issues but also creates a false narrative that authorities have done nothing to resolve them,” Uyam stated. This, she said, has contributed to growing distrust among communities directly affected by the misleading information. She also expressed concern over the negative image the false reports are giving to the people of Kalinga, which could drive away potential tourists and investors, particularly from Tabuk City.

The council’s proposed manifesto will not only condemn the spread of fake news but will also include specific penalties for those found guilty of disseminating false information. To ensure accountability, the council plans to
collaborate with the local cybercrime division to trace the individuals responsible for spreading harmful content online. Moreover, the council seeks the cooperation of media outlets to help inform the public about the true
situation in Kalinga following recent shooting incidents.

Contrary to what has been circulating, they clarified that there is no ongoing tribal war; the incident in question was an isolated shooting case. In a related matter, Tabuk City Mayor Darwin Estranero, during a flag-raising ceremony,
urged netizens to be responsible when sharing information on tribal conflicts. He advised his constituents to refrain from using the term “tribal war” and emphasized the importance of promoting positive news that highlights Tabuk’s progress and invites investment. “Why do people claim that our city is dangerous when the truth is, this was an isolated shooting incident?

Compared to other places, we hear of killings more often,” Mayor Estranero remarked. He called for an end to the stigma of tribal war, especially as Tabuk City and Kalinga Province are home to a culturally diverse population. He also noted that inter-tribal marriages are common in the area, further strengthening the community’s unity. The city council’s manifesto and Mayor Estranero’s call to action aim to shift public focus toward peace and development in Tabuk City and the Province of Kalinga.