NBI investigates death threats against Hontiveros, identifies persons of interest

The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) is investigating the online death threats and comments against Senator Risa Hontiveros, bureau Director Melvin Matibag said Thursday.

Matibag affirmed that the bureau already has persons of interest.

“We’re just waiting for the formal documentation. But we’re already in the process nung pag imbestiga dito,” Matibag said in an ambush interview.

(We’re just waiting for the formal documentation. But we’re already in the process of investigating this.)

According to Matibag, the NBI will conduct a case build-up and file a complaint with the Justice Department once it is sufficient.

In a statement, Honriveros said that the wave of online threats and comments erupted following the death of vlogger Mima Alicia, who was shot by assailants outside her home in Caloocan City on July 17.

EXPLAINER: Who was slain vlogger 'Mima Alicia'?

“Sa halip na makiramay, may mga nagdiriwang sa gitna ng kamatayan at nag-uudyok pa ng karahasan. Ngayon naman, marami rin ang tahasang nagbabanta na ako raw ‘ang susunod’,” she said.

(Instead of expressing sympathy, some people are celebrating in the midst of death and even inciting violence. Now, many are also openly threatening that I am supposedly “next.”)

The senator stressed that they are taking the threats seriously.

“I call on social media platforms and law enforcement to act decisively against this culture of impunity online,” Hontivero said.

“Hindi dapat maging normal sa atin ang pagbabanta sa buhay ng ating kapwa. Kahit gaano kalalim ang pagkakaiba natin sa pulitika, may hangganan ang ating mga pagtatalo. We cannot allow such hatred to cost another life. We are better than this,” she added.

(It should not become normal for us to threaten the lives of others. No matter how deep our political differences are, there are limits to our disputes. We cannot allow such hatred to cost another life. We are better than this.)

Authorities have arrested two suspects in the killing. –NB, GMA News