By Brian Campued
House Quad-Committee and Committee on Dangerous Drugs chair, Rep. Robert Ace Barbers, sought the help of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) to investigate vloggers who are allegedly paid to discredit the quad panel.
In a letter to the NBI dated Nov. 25, Barbers asked NBI Director Jaime Santiago to look into the persons or groups allegedly funded by illegal drug syndicates and Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs) to “bend the truth” and “concoct lies” online.
According to the Surigao del Norte solon, these vloggers will “not only damage the integrity of public service, but also foster an environment of confusion, distrust, and deception of public perception.”
In submitting pieces of evidence to the NBI, the lawmaker cited a “derogatory vlog” linking him and his brother, Surigao del Norte Gov. Lyndon Barbers to illegal drugs.
“Very obvious na well-organized at bayaran ang mga vloggers na ito na gustong sirain ang pangalan ko, ng kapatid ko, at mga Quad-Comm members. Sabi nila, ito yung mga bayarang grupo ng tagapagkalat ng kasinungalingan. Siguro nasasaktan na ang kanilang mga employers na POGO operators at drug lords dahil sa patuloy na Quad-Comm investigations,” the lawmaker said.
Once the subjects are already identified and their vlogs established, Barbers urged the NBI to pursue appropriate criminal charges against the responsible party in accordance with Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012.
“Subject to the appreciation of your good office, these charges may include the crimes of Libel (Art. 353 RPC), Sedition (Art. 139 RPC), Conspiracy to Commit Sedition (Art. 142 of RPC). Incriminating Innocent Person Act (Art. 363 RPC) and Intriguing Against Honor (Art. 364 RPC) – all in relation to Sec. 6 of the Cybercrime Prevention Act,” he said.
Composed of the Committees on Dangerous Drugs, Public Order and Safety, Public Accounts, and Human Rights, the mega panel was created to investigate, in aid of legislation, the criminal activities of POGOs, illegal drugs, and extra-judicial killings during the previous administration. (with report from Mela Lesmoras/PTV News)
-avds