Año files raps vs author of ‘physical distancing after sex’ online post

The Department of the Interior and Local Government said on Monday that DILG Secretary Eduardo Año had filed a complaint against the alleged author of a social media post which alleged that Año had advised couples to practice physical distancing after sex.

DILG spokesman Undersecretary Jonathan Malaya said police already completed its investigation and identified the suspect as 26-year-old Gabriel Marvin Cabier, a resident of Cebu City.

“Opisyal na pong nakapagsampa ng kaso si DILG Secretary Año sa nagpakalat ng malisyoso at maling impormasyon na nagsasabing sinabi niya diumano na mag-physical distancing ang mga couple matapos mag-sex," Malaya said in a press statement.

"Ang pagsasampa natin ng kaso ay isang paalala na maging responsable po tayo sa ating ipinopost sa social media. Gamitin po natin ito para sa kabutihan lalo na at tayo ay nahaharap sa isang matinding krisis,” Malaya added.

Malaya said complaints were filed against Cabier for alleged violation of Article 154 of the Revised Penal Code (Unlawful Use of Means of Publication and Unlawful Utterances) in relation to Section 6 of Republic Act 10175 or the Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012 and Article 142 RPC as amended by Presidential Decree 1974 in relation to RA 10175.

He said the complaints were lodged before the Quezon City Prosecutor Office.

"We pushed through with the filing of criminal cases as a warning to all would-be perpetrators of fake news to think twice before they do something similar. We will prosecute him to the fullest extent of the law. Mali po ito at hindi po natin ito dapat kunsintihin,” Malaya said.

At present, Malaya said the DILG is awaiting the subpoena to be released by the prosecutor while the original post has since been deleted.

Año had branded the post as malicious and was meant to spread false information amid the pandemic. — DVM, GMA News