The local office of the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) has cautioned the public against the spreading “fake news” that they are monitoring a super typhoon named “Maria”.
Palawan weather bureau chief Sonny Pajarilla said Monday what they are monitoring is Tropical Storm (TS) “Hanna” (international name: Lekima) that has slightly intensified and is expected to develop into a typhoon before Friday.
“Wala tayong inaasahan na super typhoon, wala tayong mino-monitor na super typhoon. Dito talaga maraming nagmamarunong. Sa ating mga kababayan, kung may matatanggap kayo na text message o mababasa sa social media, i-verify niyo muna ‘yong source bago kayo maniwala. Kapag hindi galing sa PAGASA, that’s not official,” Pajarilla said.
Anything not from PAGASA is fake news, he said.
Pajarilla said he has no idea how the hoax about “Maria” spread, but currently PAGASA is still in the letter H of typhoon names in the alphabet.
“Kapag hindi galing sa PAGASA, puwedeng nagloloko-loko lang ang nagkakalat. If it comes from PAGASA, then that is official kasi dadaan in a lot of data anysis at meron kayong babalikan na ahensya. We are mandated by law to give forecasts and warnings, pero ‘yong tungkol sa super typhoon, wala tayong ganoon,” Pajarilla said.
