A misleading Facebook post recently claimed that Typhoon Leon, which is currently within the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR), might reach Signal No. 4, sparking concerns among netizens. The post, shared by the social media page “Weather Watch Philippines,” warned, “‼️SIGNAL NO. 4 INAASAHAN NA! PILIPINAS, MAGHANDA NA SA BANTA NG ‘LEON’—POSIBLENG MALALAKAS NA PAG-ULAN AT BAGYO! MULING MARANASAN⛈️🙏🏻.”
Similar posts have circulated before, falsely announcing exaggerated storm signals or warnings to attract likes and shares. These accounts often intend to capture the attention of concerned citizens, later rebranding their pages for other purposes, such as promoting vlogs or blogs. Unfortunately, these misleading posts can create unnecessary alarm, especially as Filipinos are still recovering from recent typhoon-related disasters, including the damage caused by Typhoon Kristine.
The most prominently displayed the phrase “‼️SIGNAL NO. 4 INAASAHAN NA! PILIPINAS, MAGHANDA NA SA BANTA NG ‘LEON’—POSIBLENG MALALAKAS NA PAG-ULAN AT BAGYO! MULING MARANASAN⛈️🙏🏻.” This phrase heightened concerns among those who saw it, as Signal No. 4 implies strong winds and extensive damage risk. However, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) has issued no such warning regarding Typhoon Leon.
Pagasa, as the official weather bureau, emphasizes the importance of relying on verified information from their updates or from legitimate news sources. Despite the occasional sensationalism seen on social media, Pagasa provides accurate weather forecasts and warnings directly to the public.
For netizens, the takeaway is clear: verify information before accepting it as fact, particularly when it pertains to severe weather warnings that could impact lives and livelihoods. A quick check with Pagasa’s official page or news channels can help prevent the spreading of misinformation and avoid unnecessary panic.
As of now, Pagasa is monitoring Typhoon Leon’s movement and will issue updates should the situation change. Let’s all remain vigilant, relying only on official sources for updates on Typhoon Leon and other weather disturbances.