THE Philippine National Police-Anti-Cybercrime Group (PNP-ACG) on Sunday said a local broadcaster from Cebu City who was accused of allegedly spreading malicious and false accusations against a business corporation on his online radio program was arrested on Friday, September 23.
The suspect was identified as Arnold Bustamante, a 46-year-old native of Samal Island, Davao del Norte, and residing at Sitio Fatima, Barangay Apas, Cebu City.
The Regional Anti-Cybercrime Unit (RACU) 7 led by Col. Ferdinand Raymundo had launched “Oplan Tracker,” an operation plan against wanted persons and successfully served an arrest warrant against Bustamante.
“The accused allegedly bad-mouthed and defamed the business corporation by faulting [the latter’s] product as fake and harmful to the public on his radio program. This incident prompted the company to file a case of libel against the broadcaster,” the PNP-ACG said in a statement.
The warrant was issued by Judge Ramon Daomilas Jr. of Regional Trial Court 7th Judicial Region, Branch 11, Cebu City, Cebu.
A bail bond of P10,000 was recommended for Bustamante’s temporary liberty.
The broadcaster was charged for violation of Section 4 (c) (4) of Republic Act 10175 (Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012) and is currently in the custody of the RACU 7 for booking and documentation prior to turning him over to the issuing court for proper disposition.
“I commend the efforts of the operating teams in the successful police operations leading to the arrest of wanted persons in the Central Visayas region. Meanwhile, I would like to remind the public to be thoughtful and prudent in their social media activities and avoid posting defamatory or libelous remarks on various social media platforms,” the PNP-ACG said.