Tarriela files cyberlibel complaint vs blogger Sass Sasot

Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) spokesperson for West Philippine Sea (WPS) Commodore Jay Tarriela filed a cyberlibel complaint against blogger Sass Sasot on Friday.

The complaint was filed at the Manila Prosecutor’s Office.

Based on the complaint, Tarriela said Sasot allegedly posted “scurrilous libels” about him on her Facebook and X (formerly Twitter) accounts, accusing the PCG official of bribery, corruption, and cheating.

“The Respondent (Sasot) employed underhanded tactics to insinuate that I am involved in suspicious and criminal activity, often avoiding any explicit statements. This calculated strategy enables her to cast doubt on my integrity and character without making direct accusations,” Tarriela said.

PCG WPS spokesperson Commodore Jay Tarriela files cyber libel complaint vs Sass Rogando Sasot over posts accusing him of corruption, bribery, dishonesty, and misconduct.

He seeks ?1.25M in damages, citing reputational harm from her repeated “malicious and baseless” claims. pic.twitter.com/QYqc5IOEfD

— Jonathan Andal (@JonathanAndal_) July 4, 2025

“However, when viewed in its entirety, it is evident that the Respondent's intent in publicly posting these commentaries is to undermine my character and damage my reputation,” he added.

Sasot told GMA News Online that Tarriela has the right to file a case. According to her, she will wait for the copy of the complaint so she can answer it legally.

“Under our judicial system, Commodore Jay Tarriela has all the right to file a case against anybody,” Sasot said.

“His legal complaint must be legally served in order for me to answer it legally. I will wait where I live, which is outside the Philippines, to receive it legally and thereby answer it legally,” she added.

Tarriela said Sasot accused him of receiving $4 million “talent fee” from the United States and bags of money from House Speaker Martin Romualdez. He added that Sasot also tagged him as a “Philippine Military Academy cheater.”

The PCG official said all these allegations are entirely false and devoid of any factual basis.

Tarriela is also seeking over P1 million in damages. —VAL, GMA News Online