Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra on Friday warned the public against making threats in social media.
The Secretary made the warning as the Department of Justice is set to file charges against 25-year-old teacher Ronnel Mas who posted on his Twitter account a P50 million reward for anyone who can kill President Duterte.
“Inducing others to kill or cause physical harm to someone, whether the latter be the President of the Republic or an ordinary citizen, will give rise to criminal liability,” Guevarra said.
“Let’s think before we tweet,” Guevarra advised.
The National Bureau of Investigation’s Dagupan Distirct Office (NBI-DADO) arrested Mas last Monday, May 11, in Barangay North Poblacion in Sta. Cruz, Zambales for his post on his Twitter account.
His post read: “I will give P50 Million reward kung sino makakapatay kay Duterte.”
Following his arrest, Mas was taken to the NBI headquarters in Manila and presented for inquest before the DoJ for inciting to sedition in relation to Republic Act 10175, the Cyber Crime Prevention Act of 2012 and for violating RA 6713, the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials.
The DoJ is set to file charges against Mas next week in Zambales.
“I was informed the recommended bail is P72,000.00,” noted DOJ spokesman Undersecretary Markk Perete.
“Under the rules of court, an accused may still petition the court to lower the bail,” he added. (Jeffrey Damicog)
