‘Bikoy’ may be held liable for cyber libel, says PNP chief Albayalde

Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Police General Oscar Albayalde on Monday said alias Bikoy may be held liable for violating the cybercrime law if he cannot prove his allegations against the family of President Rodrigo Duterte.

"There's cyber libel ngayon. That's part of the anti-cybercrime law... Kahit sino kasi puwede mong i-accuse anytime, any day and sa social media but I'm sure kung merong siyang ina-accuse na ganyan, he should bring out evidence," Albayalde told reporters.

He said the PNP is willing to help Bikoy if he can prove his claims: "We can even help him file a case against that person na sinasabi niya at kung hindi naman, he will be made liable doon sa lahat ng mga sinasabi din niya."

In his video "Ang Totoong Narcolist," Bikoy claimed being a former drug syndicate member and had ledgers showing presidential son Paolo Duterte's supposed bank records indicating that the former Davao City vice mayor had received millions of pesos from a drug ring.

He also alleged that other members of Duterte's family and former special assistant to the President Christopher Bong Go received millions from drug money. The allegations have since been denied.

According to Albayalde, Duterte has not instructed them to act against Bikoy, however, he admitted that the PNP's Anti-Cybercrime Group (ACG) would "slowly get into this."

"So far wala naman kasi di naman siya masyadong pinapansin. I don't know. Sabi ko nga, ang dami-dami. Sa atin kasi, everytime na may ganun, paniwala agad tayo," Albayalde said.

He also said Bikoy's claims might be part of a propaganda this coming midterm elections.

"Baka nagpapagamit siya kung kani-kaninong grupo o political party. Hindi natin masabi," Albayalde said.

Albayalde advised the public not to easily believe what they see or read on social media.

"'Wag po tayo basta maniwala doon sa naririnig natin sa social media because sabi ko nga, anytime, anybody can do anything or say anything in the social media but of course, we have to be responsible citizens lalo na 'yung naglalabas ng ganyang accusations sa social media," he said. — RSJ, GMA News