3 Inquirer editors, Mon Tulfo booked in INC-linked libel case

Columnist Ramon Tulfo and three editors of the Philippine Daily Inquirer have undergone booking procedures in connection with a libel suit he has linked to the religious organization Iglesia ni Cristo (INC).

Makati Police Chief Inspector Roman Salazar said Tulfo voluntarily surrendered with the broadsheet's executive editor Jose Ma. Nolasco, opinion editor Rosario Garcellano, and associate editor for page one operations Pergentino Bandayrel, Jr. on Monday.

Salazar said on Tuesday that a Dasmariñas, Cavite court had issued a warrant of arrest against the accused in the libel case in October last year, recommending bail of P10,000 each.

Tulfo also narrated the incident on his Facebook page, saying he and the Inquirer editors were "detained" for over six hours at the Makati Police Station, where their fingerprints and mugshots were taken while their bail bonds were being processed.

He said they stayed at the police station from 11:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., until a Makati judge signed their release papers.

Tulfo said the case, one of "over 90," stemmed from a column he wrote in March 2017 which said: “By the way, why does the INC, which preaches love, maintain a large armory and a private army?”

Most of the cases have been dismissed by prosecutors, he said, but added that at least three have been filed in court: in Tagum, Davao del Norte; in Dasmariñas; and in Bacoor, Cavite.

The Inquirer has not yet responded to a request for clarification. — BM, GMA News