Web admin feels betrayed, ready to tag uploaders of ‘Bikoy’ videos

The administrator of metrobalita.com said he felt betrayed by his "clients" who uploaded on his website the anti-Duterte videos that linked President Rodrigo Duterte's loved ones and associates to illegal drugs.

According to John Consulta's exclusive report on "24 Oras", Rodel Jayme, 26, said he was ready to help the authorities arrest those behind the the viral "Ang Totoong Narco List" videos.

Jayme insisted that the website he created would be used for posting controversial videos of the narrator "Bikoy" and his allegations and supposed evidence against Duterte's son Paolo, son-in-law Mans Carpio and former aide Bong Go.

"Nilaglag ako sa bagay na wala akong alam, na parang tinraydor ako. In-upload nila 'yung video na hindi man lang sinabi sa akin, alam nilang andyan ang pangalan ko dahil siyempre ang alam ko lang ay malinis ang intensyon ng pagpapagawa," Jayme said.

"Binigyan ko po ng access doon sa nagpagawa. Then April 2, no idea po ako, nasa church po ako, biglang na-upload 'yung video ni Bikoy," he added.

Otso Diretso ad

Following his arrest, Jayme told NBI investigators that certain individuals asked him to create a website which was later used to upload the Bikoy videos on the internet.

He told GMA News that a certain “Maru Xie” commisioned him to create the website supposedly meant to support the candidacy of Otso Diretso senatorial candidates.

Jayme said he met the woman in 2015 when they both supported the campaign of certain candidates in the 2016 elections.

He said Maru Xie gave him P2,500 when they met in February to buy the domain for the website that was only intended to run for three months.

The NBI cybercrime Division is currently conducting forensic examination on Jayme’s desktop computer and laptop to retrieve possibly deleted files and contact persons that may lead to the Bikoy videos.

"Nag-chat lang sa akin kung pwedeng makipagkita then nung nagkita kami sa Las Piñas, doon sinabi na kailangang gumawa ng website na gagamitin for posting sa campaign," Jayme said.

"Kandidato ng Otso Diretso ang ipo-post po doon sa website, 'yun ang original plan," he added.

In a series of videos titled "Ang Totoong Narcolist," alias "Bikoy," supposedly a former member of a drug syndicate alleged the personalities close to Duterte had raked in huge amounts of money from drug lords.

‘Told to hide’

After the videos went viral, Jayme said he was instructed by his clients to go into hiding.

"Ang plano na sinasabi sa amin ay magtago daw po ng within one month dahil ang lumalabas ngayon lang mainit 'yan hanggang eleksyon. Dahil parang lalabas si Bikoy bago mag-eleksyon," Jayme said.

According to Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra, NBI agents with a warrant issued by a Makati court searched Jayme's residence on April 30.

The web administrator surrendered his gadgets and internet billing statements and voluntarily went to the NBI headquarters.

He was eventually arrested after the NBI forensic report on the devices he turned in showed that the website was registered under his name.

Jayme said he was willing to cooperate with authorities to track down the people behind "Bikoy."

"Andun po lahat sa conversation namin sa FB, isa sa bilin ay mag-delete ng conversation, pero hindi ko po gawain na mag-delete ng conversation, alam kong pwedeng ebidensya 'yun kung may mangyari," Jayme said.

LP denies role

Meanwhile, Liberal Party President and Otso Diretso campaign manager Senator Kiko Pangilinan said the Liberal Party does not have a hand in producing the controversial videos.

"Hindi involved ang LP sa anumang bagay tungkol sa Bikoy video. Period," Pangilinan said.

"Mahigit isangdaan na kongresista dati rin mga myembro ng LP noong 2015 na kapartido na ni Duterte ngayon. Walang ibig sabihin kung totoong dati siyang (Jayme) LP," he added.

Pangilinan further said that authorities should instead run after the perpetrators of drug smuggling in the Bureau of Customs.

Malacañang has produced a matrix linking the people behind Bikoy and investigative news organizations to a supposed ouster plot against Duterte.  —Dona Magsino and John Consulta/NB, GMA News