Internet personality Francis Leo Marcos claims persecution after arrest

Francis Leo Marcos, a businessman and popular internet personality, maintained his innocence and claimed that he was being persecuted on Tuesday after he was arrested by the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI).

Marcos was arrested for allegedly violating the Optometry Law by distributing prescription eyeglasses without approval from the Philippine Association of Optometrists. 

He is also known for his YouTube channel, where he has amassed over a million subscribers.

“Para do’n sa mga taong nasaling ko ang damdamin do’n sa aking ‘Mayaman Challenge,’ ako nama’y humingi na ng tawad sa inyo e,” Marcos said in a 24 Oras report by John Consulta.

“Kumbaga, ang layunin ko lang naman dito’y makatulong, hindi para makaperwisyo. Pero gano’n talaga, tatanggapin ko po ‘yang persecution na ‘yan. Walang problema kung ako’y pine-persecute diyan,” he added.

NBI Cybercrime Division chief Vic Lorenzo said Marcos also goes by the name of Norman Mangusin.

“May mga dokumento tayo kasing na-retrieve diyan na mga magpapatunay na siya nga ‘yung Norman Mangusin,” he explained.

“He submitted a passport na Francis Leo Marcos tapos isang dokumento naman na Norman Mangusin. So which is which? Pero kami, naniniwala kami that his real name is Norman Mangusin.”

NBI deputy director Ferdinand Lavin added that a non-bailable warrant was issued against Marcos in 2006 for violation of the Anti-Human Trafficking in Persons Act over his alleged recruitment of children.

“‘Di po ako na-involve diyan sa kahit anumang iligal na aktibidades. Hindi po tayo naging kriminal o hindi po tayo na-involve kahit po holdapan o anuman. Tayo po ay masipag maghanapbuhay, magtrabaho,” Marcos countered. — Julia Mari Ornedo/BM, GMA News