Manila, Aug. 6 -- Malacanang is studying possible legal action against individuals behind the spread of false reports claiming that Senator Ronald "Bato" Dela Rosa had been arrested, saying the government would not allow the deliberate dissemination of fake news.

In a press briefing Thursday, Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said Presidential Communications Office (PCO) Secretary Dave Gomez has ordered the agency's anti-fake news desk to investigate the source and spread of the false information.

She said authorities are determining whether the posts were made with malicious intent and are seeking the cooperation of the mainstream media to help curb the spread of false information.

Castro said the government is also studying possibl...