Businessman files P1-B cyber libel rap vs ‘Bikoy,’ YouTube, Facebook

Bicolano businessman Elizaldy Co has sought damages of at least P1 billion from YouTube, Facebook, and the man who claims to have implicated members of the First Family in the illegal drug trade.

In two separate complaints brought before the Legazpi City prosecutor's office, Co and Misibis Resort and Hotel Management, Inc., where he is a shareholder, accused Facebook and Google (YouTube's owner), Peter Joemel Advincula, and Rodel Jayme of cyber libel in relation to Article 353, 354, and 355 of the Revised Penal Code.

Advincula claims to be the First Family's accuser in the "Ang Totoong Narcolist" videos, while Jayme created the website that was allegedly among the first to share the controversial content. Jayme already faces an inciting to sedition case in court.

Co alleged that in one of the videos, "Bikoy" linked him and his company to "an alleged drug syndicate supposedly operating in the Bicol and Visayas region" -- a "false" and "malicious" accusation that he said has maligned his good name and business reputation.

The businessman claimed that some banks and financial institutions have "raised questions" on his credit worthiness, with one suspending the processing of his loan application and others asking him to explain as a result of the allegations.

He said he has asked Facebook and YouTube to take down the video, but that it remains accessible online -- the reason why he impleaded the two companies in his complaints.

The first complaint, which also names Facebook Philippines, represented by country director John Rubio, as respondent, Co and Misibis sought P150 million each for moral damages, P100 million each for exemplary damages, and 10 percent attorney's fees and costs of suit, for a total of P550 million.

He and the company demanded the same amount in the second complaint, which also lists Google Philippines, represented by country manager Kenneth Lingan, as respondent -- for a total claim of at least P1.1 billion.

"The truth is finally out. By his own admission, 'Bikoy' said everything in the viral videos series that implicates me, Misibis Bay Resort and other personalities in the illegal drug trade are pure fabrication," Co said in a statement.

"Like 'Bikoy,' Facebook and YouTube must be held accountable. Our legal system shouldn't allow them to be part of a systematic campaign to destroy people and simply get away with it," he added.

Earlier this month, Advincula briefly surfaced to identify himself as "Bikoy" and to stand by the allegations in the videos.

He has now surrendered to the police and, reversing his earlier statement, said the videos were scripted and masterminded by Senator Antonio Trillanes IV and the Liberal Party. —LDF, GMA News