By WAYLON GALVEZ
Efren “Bata” Reyes and his family are considering legal charges against persons responsible for spreading fake news last Saturday about the death of the Filipino pool legend.
Chelo Reyes, one of three children of the pool player known by his moniker as “The Magician,” said that they are thinking about that possibility although nothing is final at the moment.
“Oo naman po naisip pa din po talaga kasuhan,” Chelo said Sunday.
The spread of fake news by individuals or groups is punishable under the cybercrime law.
She said that they still have no idea who did it and what was the intention.
News of the supposed death of Reyes spread like wildfire after it was posted online by a still unidentified individual. It reached the pool icon and his reaction was a classic Reyes – funny.
“Okay lang ako,” said Reyes, as he was all smiles and in his cheerful personality on the video post while watching the NBA game between the Milwaukee Bucks and the Dallas Mavericks.
Chelo added that his father was even joking about it, saying: “Mas nauna pa daw nakaalam ang Facebook kesa sa kanya at sa amin tungkol sa balita na ‘yun (of his death).”
While the 66-year-old world champion had a good laugh about the fake news of his death, his family took the matter seriously.
“Nung nasabi ko sa kanya ‘yun, I’m not sure po kung first time niya narinig ‘yung about sa fake news. May mga tumatawag na kasi prior to confirm.”
While the world champion took in a funny way, Chelo said family members had a different view on such news – particularly if it’s fake – since it isn’t a good one to hear or read.
“Nainis po at nagulat po talaga, though alam naman namin kung ano ang totoo,” she said. “Sa nag post or kung sino man may gawa nun, karma na lang siguro at ipagpa-sa Diyos na lang siya/sila. Kaya nag-post na lang din po ako to confirm na OK talaga siya,” she added.
