NBI arrests vlogger over 'headshot' caption on Marcos pic

The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) announced Wednesday the arrest of a vlogger who captioned a photograph of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. with the word "headshot."

NBI Director Jaime Santiago said the man was arrested on October 7, Tuesday.

"Alam niyo ano mang threat, tangka sa buhay ng Pangulo, Pangalawang Pangulo, Senate President, Speaker of the House, Chief Justice, ay primary jurisdiction ng NBI," Santiago said in a media briefing.

(You know, any threat or attempt on the life of the President, Vice President, Senate President, Speaker of the House, or Chief Justice falls under the primary jurisdiction of the NBI.)

The NBI showed the media a screenshot of the man's post on Facebook. There was a red line pointing to the head of the president with the caption "headshot." 

"Sa mga law enforcement agency, kapag sinabing ihe-headshot ka ay babarilin ka sa ulo. Kaya 'yun. Nagpapahiwatig siya ng ganoon. Kaya sineryoso namin 'yung bagay na 'yun," Santiago said.

(In law enforcement agencies, when they say they'll take a headshot at you, it means you'll be shot in the head. That's it. He is implying that. That's why we took that matter seriously.)

However, as of October 8, the caption is now "Tama Talaga Ang City Hall." In a comment on his own post, the subject said the post was deleted and that the "caption was wrong."

Santiago said the vlogger told them that he was only joking.

Meanwhile, the NBI director clarified that the public has the right to freedom of speech and freedom of expression, but there are limits.

"Inuulit ko sa inyo, meron tayong karapatan, mag- comment. Freedom of speech, kasama 'yan, freedom of expression. Pero 'yung magtatangka ka na sa buhay ng Presidente, Vice President, Senate President, Speaker of the House, and the Chief Justice ay papasok ang NBI," he said.

(I repeat, we have the right to comment. Freedom of speech is included, freedom of expression. But if you make an attempt on the lives of the President, Vice President, Senate President, Speaker of the House, and the Chief Justice, the NBI will get involved.) — VDV, GMA Integrated News