Salesman in Agusan arrested for ‘libelous’ post vs. Duterte

Police operatives on Wednesday arrested a 41-year-old salesman in Agusan del Norte after he made a supposedly "libelous" statement about President Rodrigo Duterte and his ally Senator Bong Go on social media.

Reynaldo Orcullo was arrested in Barangay Triangulo, Nasipit Town at 3 p.m, according to Philippine National Police (PNP) Caraga director Brigadier General Joselito Esquivel Jr.

Esquivel said Orcullo posted "libelous words" against the president.

"Alam na pattern, mosalida si Go Konuhay siya Mohangyo sa buang nga Pangulo, Digong gago. Buang si Digong [Alam na pattern, kunwari makikiusap si Go sa baliw na pangulo, Digong gago. Baliw si Digong]," Orcullo wrote on his personal Facebook account.

According to the Caraga police, this prompted operatives of the Regional Anti-Cybercrime Unit (RACU) 13 and the Nasipit Municipal Police Station to "track him down" for supposedly violating Section 4 of the Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012. 

Authorities confiscated Orcullo's cellphone and took him into custody.

The police statement also quoted Esquivel  as saying that social media users should "think thrice" before posting on social media.

"We do enjoy the blessings of democracy but never go beyond from what you think is right without minding you violate the provisions of the law," he added.

On May 12, a public school teacher who allegedly posted on Twitter an offer of a P50-million reward to anyone who could kill Duterte was arrested. He will be charged with inciting to sedition. — Joahna Lei Casilao/BM, GMA News