NBI gives netizen summoned for ‘fake news’ more time to explain post

The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) gave a social media user more time to explain his Facebook post in which he alleged the government had misused public funds and which made him the subject of a "fake news" investigation.

NBI Cybercrime Division Chief Victor Lorenzo said human rights lawyer Chel Diokno, who represented the social media user, requested the bureau to explain the nature of his client's alleged offense and the basis for the investigation.

Lorenzo said Diokno's client, who had been told to appear at the NBI on Tuesday, should submit his explanation "by next week."

"Inaasahan namin na sana talagang maayos at patas ang pag-iimbestiga," Diokno said.

According to Lorenzo, the Facebook post in question was one in which the author claimed that the government purchased a P2-billion private jet instead of providing health care for Filipinos.

The NBI official said they were interested in determining if this post contained false information, or if its author could be a "potential whistleblower" who could guide the bureau on a graft investigation.

It was reported last October that the Philippine Air Force had signed a contract to buy a Gulfstream G280 aircraft for “command and control” duties. Reportedly scheduled to be delivered mid-2020, the jet costs $39.9 million or almost P2 billion.

When asked if the social media user could just have been complaining that the government had funds for a jet and not for health care, Lorenzo said: "It is a possible explanation."

Lorenzo earlier denied the bureau was out to suppress the public's right to free speech. He explained that the NBI was ordered to look into online misinformation related to COVID-19 that had a "tendency to disrupt public order."

He said they were looking into possible violations of Article 154 of the Revised Penal Code in relation to Republic Act No. 10175, or the Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012.

Article 154 penalizes "any person who by means of printing, lithography, or any other means of publication shall publish or cause to be published as news any false news which may endanger the public order, or cause damage to the interest or credit of the State."

The NBI had so far sent subpoenas to 17 people they suspected of spreading false information, Lorenzo said. — DVM, GMA News