Veteran DZRH news reporter Misael "Boy" Gonzales was taken into custody by personnel of the Manila Police District Intelligence Operation Unit (DPIOU) today, following allegations linked to the Data Privacy Act. Gonzales underwent the standard booking procedure at the DPIOU office.

In the report of Edniel Prossa on DZRH's Rapido Hataw Balita, the complaint was filed by 1st District Manila Councilor Rosalino “Nonoy” Ibay Jr., formerly a police colonel who had been the subject of a warrant of arrest issued by Manila RTC Branch 4 in September last year.

Gonzales had previously reported the issuance of this warrant, prompting Ibay to file charges of libel, cyber libel, and violation of the Data Privacy Act against him and another journalist.

According to Atty. Rhina Seco, legal counsel for Manila Broadcasting Company, said, “Nag umpisa ang kaso na itong ireport ni Boy ang tungkol sa issuance ng warrant of arrest against city councilor in the city of Manila, so nasampahan siya ng libel, cyber libel, and violation of Data Privacy Act dahil na-publish yung kopya ng warrant of arrest… the rest of the cases [were] dismissed—ito yung… nakatuloy [violation of Data Privacy Act].”

Seco confirmed that previous libel and cyber libel charges had already been dismissed by the prosecutors. The latest warrant, however, came unexpectedly from Manila RTC Branch 20, prompting MBC-DZRH to call the arrest a “bulagaang kaso” (surprise case).

Gonzales has been subjected to a medical examination at the police station while arrangements for his bail are ongoing. The police have already received the return of the warrant from Manila RTC Branch 20.

The Manila Broadcasting Company and DZRH News expressed alarm at the sudden issuance of the warrant and the renewed arrest action against their journalist