NCRPO files raps vs. blogger Drew Olivar over ‘bomb scare’ post

The Philippine National Police - National Capital Region Police Office (PNP-NCRPO) has finally filed a criminal complaint against a blogger who posted a "bomb scare" on Facebook.

Blogger Drew Olivar faces charges for violation of the presidential decree against the malicious dissemination of false bomb threats in connection with the Anti-Cybercrime Act of 2012.

Police brought the charges before the Department of Justice on Thursday, two days after their earlier attempt was rejected due to insufficient evidence attached to the complaint.

Conviction for violation of Presidential Decree 1727, also known as the "Anti-Bomb Joke Law," is punishable by up to five years' imprisonment and/or a fine of up to P40,000.

Olivar was criticized for posting on Facebook a supposed rumor about a bombing that would occur on September 21, the 46th anniversary of the declaration of martial law.

“Ayyy 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!!” read the post, which referenced the 1971 bombing of Plaza Miranda, according to the police complaint.

Evidence submitted by the NCRPO include printed copies of Olivar's now-deleted post, a news article, and sworn affidavits of supposed witnesses, all  police officers.

Olivar, who has since apologized for the bomb joke post, previously drew ire for making fun of sign language and for performing a supposed pro-federalism jingle in the presence of Communications Assistant Secretary Mocha Uson in a live Facebook video, an act some lawmakers described as "cheap" and "vulgar."

Both Uson and Olivar also face a complaint before the Office of the Ombudsman over the controversial sign language video. — RSJ, GMA News