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BLOGGER APOLOGIZES

NCRPO chief on bomb scare post: I-report muna bago i-forward kasi nagiging fake news eh


Blogger Drew Olivar has issued another apology for his actions, this time concerning a "bomb scare" post he made about protest actions for the 46th year commemoration of the Martial Law declaration of the Marcos regime.

Despite his apology, authorities said he could still be facing charges for violation of Presidential Decree 1727 — which prohibits the malicious dissemination of threats concerning bombs and explosives — and Republic Act 10175 or the Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012.

Olivar's apology came fresh on the heels of his other apology for a video in which he mockingly pretended to be a hearing-speech impaired person.

At a press conference at Camp Bagong Diwa, Taguig City, Olivar said he only intended to warn people and not sow fear when he made the bomb scare post on his social media account.

His controversial post read: “Ay nakakatakot naman magrally sa Edsa, kasi may kumakalat na baka maulit daw ‘yung pagbomba kagaya ng Plaza Miranda! Kung ako sa inyo hindi na ako pupunta!”

"Siguro sige, magso-sorry ako... magso-sorry lang ako kung may naalarma diyan na iba ang pagkakaintindi sa sinabi ko," he said.

Olivar, however, was quick to clarify his apology was not an admission of guilt.

"Sasabihin nila 'pag nag-sorry ako, baka inaamin ko na... sinadya ko. Baka ganoon sabihin ng iba," he said.

National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) chief Director Guillermo Eleazar said they will elevate the matter to the city prosecutor to determine whether Olivar would be sued in court.

"Bago mo [kasi] i-forward ang isang unvalidated report, ipadala mo muna sa authorities para sila magbigay action. Hindi iyong nagiging fake news eh," said Eleazar.

"We have to check if indeed may nakikita tayong violation dito. After getting his statement, we can prepare the necessary documentation and refer this case to the city prosecutor for their assesment and evaluation," he added.

In repsonse, Olivar admitted not thinking of bringing the "bomb scare" information to the attention of authorities.

"Sadly, 'di ko nasabi, na-report... naka-focus ako sa social media so mas inuna ko muna siguro na pag-ingatin [ang mga netizens]... sobrang busy rin. Di ko rin alam gagawin. Ang dami na naman nagpo-post. Baka may iba diyan na lumapit na at nag-report na rin," he said.

Olivar reiterated he had no intention to scare people, saying he was merely acting out of concern.

"Tatay din po kasi ako. Nagbibigay ng ano, 'Mag-ingat ka anak.' Gaya ng ka-DDS [supporters of President Rodrigo Duterte]. Mag-ingat kayo sa pupuntahan nyo,'" he said.

Despite Olivar's explantion, Eleazar clarified: "Walang weigth ang good faith.. sa atin ay elements lang [ng crime under PD 1727]."

Eleazar said thier office did not get any complaint connected to Olivar's post. He said authorities will refer the matter before the city prosecutor "probably within the week."

Olivar, along with Assistant Secretary Mocha Uson, is already facing a complaint before the Office of the Ombudsman over his sign language video. — MDM, GMA News

Tags: drewolivar
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