The Cybercrime Investigation and Coordinating Center (CICC) has filed criminal and administrative complaints before the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) against Reina Mercedes, Isabela Vice Mayor Atty. Jeryll Harold Respicio over alleged seditious statements posted on social media.
According to a report by RH Jecelle Ricafort on 'Operation Tulong,' complaint was lodged on Friday by CICC officials led by Undersecretary Aboy Paraiso, together with Presidential Communications Office (PCO) Undersecretary Precious Hipolito-Castelo, through a complaint affidavit filed before the NBI.
According to NBI Director Melvin Matibag, Respicio may face charges of inciting sedition, inciting rebellion, and unlawful means of publication if probable cause is established.
The NBI will issue a subpoena requiring the vice mayor to respond to the allegations.
Matibag said the bureau will conduct a case buildup and later endorse the findings to the Department of Justice for appropriate action.
The CICC official said the case is part of its ongoing monitoring of online content that may encourage violence or political unrest.
Paraiso stressed that the complaints are not intended to suppress free speech, but to address statements that allegedly cross legal boundaries.
“Namomonitor ‘yung mga behavior online lalong-lao na yung mga utterances at pag-uudyok sa mga kababayan natin na magtake up arms at mag-udyok ng damdamin ng ating mga kababayan na magaling sa ating pamahalaan at gumawa ng karahasan,” Paraiso said.
“Uulitin natin hindi ito hakbang para sikilin ang malayang karapatan ng ating mga kabayayan sa pamamahayag at paglalabas ng saloobin pero kagay ng sinabi ni Dir. Melvin ito yung threshold po nito kapag lumampas na yung rights nila of expression and crosses the boundaries, ito na yung inciting to sedition, inciting to rebellion, ‘yung mga cybercrimes natin,” he added.
Matibag also cited exchanges involving Respicio and netizens where discussions reportedly included references to revolution if the constitution is perceived to be failing.
“Tandaan po natin, lahat po ng ating karapatan may katumbas po na responsibilidad,” Matibag emphasized.
“At 'pag 'yung iyong karapatan ay lumalabag na sa batas, ito ay hindi na karapatan. Ito ay pang-aabuso na at paglabag sa batas,” the NBI chief noted.
The CICC said its campaign against misinformation and online content that may incite sedition or rebellion will continue as part of broader efforts to address harmful digital activity.
