THE Philippine National Police Anti-Cyber crime Group (ACG)-Northern Mindanao arrested on Wednesday morning, August 16, a 20-year old female graduating student for online libel.
Operatives of the ACG-Northern Mindanao served the arrest warrant for the suspect identified as Catherine Kho at the Professional World Academy in Cagayan de Oro City, where she is studying a cruise ship-related course.
Police Officer 1 Sheila May Mentopa, cyber-investigator, said a married woman whom she refused to identify reported that the suspect has been posting libelous remarks against her on social media and through text messages.
Mentopa said the suspect has posted derogatory statements on February 7 saying the victim is a mistress and is pregnant.
Mentopa clarified that the suspect is posting almost similar statements from her personal and bogus accounts on Facebook and messenger including text messages.
"Naa siyay post sa iyang account ug sa peke nga account nga pareha ra. Gidaot pud niya ang biktima agi sa text sa bana ug sa mga paryente niini. Naa pud higayon nga giistorya mismo sa suspect ang bana sa biktima face to face," Mentopa said.
Mentopa said the suspect might posted the supposedly libelous statements online out of jealousy since the victim and the suspect's common-law partner are said to be close friends.
"Ang biktima maoy ninang sa anak sa suspect ug ang live-in partner sa suspect close sa biktima. Iyang gidaot nga ang amahan sa giburos sa biktima ang kaipon sa suspect," Mentopa said.
"Pero last year pa naa na silay mga conversation sa messenger nga na ok na tapos nibalik na pud kay murag gaka-trigger tungod sa selos sa suspect," Mentopa added.
Mentopa said the victim filed online libel charges under cyber crime law (RA 10175) against Kho on April 27, this year but the suspect has not been answering the subpoena prompting the court to issue an arrest warrant.
The suspect is now detained at the city jail in Lumbia after failing to post a P120,000 bail.
"Think before you click so that you will not compromise and avoid posting defamatory statements. Kung ikaw ang agrabyado huwag idaan sa social media ang paghihiganti," Mentopa said.
