NBI official denies being selective after arrest of teacher who offered P50M to anyone who would kill Duterte

The chief of the NBI Dagupan office on Wednesday denied the bureau was being selective when agents arrested a public high school teacher who had tweeted a P50-million offer to anyone who could kill President Rodrigo Duterte. 

"'Di naman po tayo sa nagiging selective. Lahat naman po ng tao na nakaka-violate ng ating mga batas ay tinatrabaho naman po natin," Dagupan District Office agent-in-charge Rizaldy Jaymalin said in an interview on Dobol B sa News TV. 

Jaymalin heads the NBI office that tracked down and arrested 25-year-old social studies teacher Ronnel Mas over a tweet in which he wrote: "I will give P50 million reward kung sino makakapatay kay Duterte."

The official said he immediately worked on the case upon receiving instructions from NBI Director Eric Distor and quickly got results. 

Mas faces a complaint for inciting to sedition in relation to cybercrime as well as for a violation of the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials. 

The NBI said Wednesday it is also going after social media users who had made apparent threats against Vice President Leni Robredo. 

In the radio interview, Jaymalin said Mas received threats due to his tweet, which was purportedly made to get attention. "Wala siyang P50 million, kaya lang ang nabanggit niya kasi, 'yung Twitter account niya kasi ay wala masyadong nagti-tweet," the official said. 

He said the teacher's parents were relieved knowing their son is "safe" in NBI custody. 

Jaymalin then reminded the public that there are limitations to the freedom of expression, adding that Distor is taking threats against officials "very seriously."

A day after Mas' apprehension, police arrested a construction worker in Malay, Aklan, this time for allegedly posting a P100-million offer to anyone who could kill the President. 

The NBI is also investigating alleged peddlers of misinformation online amid the COVID-19 crisis. —KG, GMA News