Businessman nabbed for cyberlibel, posts on alleged COVID-19 aid anomalies

A businessman was nabbed for cyberlibel after posting allegations of anomalies in the payouts for the social amelioration program in Pila, Laguna.

According to John Consulta’s report on “24 Oras” on Wednesday, Lorenzo Calubayan posted on his Facebook account allegations against Pila officials regarding the distribution of the social amelioration cash doles.

Calubayan was arrested by personnel of the Biñan Philippine National Police and the Anti-Cybercrime Group 4A by virtue of an arrest warrant for 17 counts of cyberlibel.

The warrant was issued by the Calamba, Laguna Regional Trial Court Branch 34.

“Accordingly doon sa mga post niya ay damaging at tsaka libelous kung saan binanggit niya ‘yong mga pangalan ng public officials,” PNP Anti-Cybercrime Group 4A chief Police Colonel Julius Suriben said.

“Ang kaniyang piyansa ay P48,000 kada count so multiply by 17 so it’s around P800,000 ‘yong total bail niya,” he added.

However, Calubayan still stood by his Facebook posts.

“Eh tutuloy ko ‘tong laban namin kasi nasimulan ko na. Hindi naman para sa akin kundi para sa taong bayan. Wala naman akong benepisyo para dito. Ginawa ko ‘to dahil ‘yong mga taong bayan dito sa pila ay naargabiyado,” he said.

Pila Mayor Edgardo Ramos said Calubayan previously applied as a consultant. He said Calubayan even told him that he was planning to run for councilor in the 2022 elections.

“Nag-apply sa akin as consultant, ‘di ko naman puwedeng tanggapin dahil ‘di ko naman kailangan ng ganoong klaseng tao. May text message din sa akin na nag-aapply siyang councilor para sa 2022 eh napakalayo pa naman,” Ramos said.

“Itong pandemic nagsimula na siyang siraan ako nang siraan through social media, even our employees na talaga namang hirap na hirap sa panahon ng pandemic, inupakan pa niya,” he added.

Suriben urged the public to be responsible online.

“Maging responsable tayo online. Maging wais din tayo. Ee have the courts, adminitrative bodies to file charges against public officials and employees. Hindi na kailangang mag-resort pa sa online shaming,” Suriben said. -Ma. Angelica Garcia/NB, GMA News