The secretary of the Department of Public Security (DSP), Pedro Janer Román, confirmed on Monday that they are consulting with the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI in English) the case of the false message spread by a messaging application that caused citizens to fill up supermarkets last Saturday.
“That is something that cannot be allowed. At the federal level, that person used communications, social networks and that is a violation of the FCC rules because radio waves cannot be used to spread terror and that was exactly what this man caused. We are asking the FBI to intervene to collaborate with us in this investigation, definitely to the Department of Justice of Puerto Rico and any other agency that is inherent and that can assist us, ”Janer said in a radio interview (NotiUno).
At the state level, the official explained that Article 6.14 of Law 20 provides for imposing fines of up to $ 5,000 or imprisonment of up to six months on anyone who gives false alarms in the midst of an emergency.
Janer did not want to date the investigation, but said they are trying to identify the subject who disclosed the sound, as well as other people who can do the same.
The incident caused the governor, Wanda Vázquez Garced to express on Saturday afternoon that it was not necessary to be in supermarkets and assured that there are no changes in the executive order, so that citizens should remain at home.
This was the false message:
“Beloved ones, I am writing to let you know that our Apostle Marlyn Arroyo communicated information to us through the Apostle Ángel Molina, who is part of the security of the fortress.
In these next days the government will announce an extension of 2-3 additional weeks. This extension is almost a sure thing. The entire national guard and police will be activated and the country will be closed entirely. It will be a complete closure. No one on the street. This decision is practically certain ”.
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