The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) has recommended the filing of charges against a man for allegedly concocting and posting fake news online which accused the government of buying a jet plane worth P2 billion.
“We have recommended the filing of charges,” NBI Cyber Crime Division (NBI-CCD) chief Victor Lorenzo said on Monday.
Lorenzo said he made the recommendation after Free Legal Assistance Group (FLAG) chairman and human rights lawyer Jose Manuel “Chel” Diokno appeared before investigators last April 14 to submit on behalf of the man the reply on the allegations.
“Pumunta siya tapos nag-submit sya ng reply,” recounted Lorenzo.
Lorenzo recommended that the man be charged with violation of Article 154 of the Revised Penal Code for unlawful utterances and publication.
The NBI-CCD chief said his recommendation is now being evaluated by the NBI’s legal division that will determine if there is enough evidence to file the complaint before the Department of Justice.
Diokno decided to take as his client the man the NBI accused of making the fake news he believes the NBI is only running after those who are critical of the administration.
“Pati ordinaryong mamamayang nagpo-post ng hinaing online, pinapatawag ng NBI,” Diokno previously stated.
“Ang dami nang namamatay, pati frontliners, pero imbis na COVID, kritiko ang gusto nilang puksain,” the lawyer lamented.
On the other hand, Lorenzo explained Diokno’s client accused the government on social media of buying a jet plane worth P2 billion instead of using the money for public health care amid the growing threat of COVID-19.
“So dalawa ang personality ng kliyente niya , either he is an author of fake news or a whistleblower,” Lorenzo previously said. (Jeffrey Damicog)