THE TikToker in the supposed plot to murder presidential election frontrunner Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. has submitted his cellular phone to the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) for digital forensic examination.

According to Atty. Vic Lorenzo, head of the NBI’s Cybercrime Division, probers are now examining Ruel “Bong” Ricafort’s cellular phone to find out if he really was the author or not of the controversial post in TikTok, a hugely-popular video-focused social networking app.

” Yes (he submitted his mobile phone already). Investigation ongoing,” Lorenzo said in a message.

Recently, Ricafort admitted during a live online press conference at the NBI headquarters that he is a die-hard supporter of Vice President Leni Robredo.

Robredo is one of the political rivals of Marcos in the May 2022 presidential elections.

Assisted by counsel, Ruel “Bong” Ricafort, who turned himself in to the NBI Tuesday, divulged that he’s the team captain of Bikers for Leni of the San Juan-Metro Manila chapter.

” Yes po (I’m a supporter of Robredo). I’m the team captain of Bikers for Leni in San Juan,” Ricafort said.

Last January, the Department of Justice-Office of the Cybercrime said it received reports of a TikTok user supposedly posting a death threat against Marcos Jr.

TikTok Philippines said the account of the said user has already been permanently banned.

The TikTok user supposedly made a comment: “Nagmemeeting kami araw-araw para paghandaang ipa aasassinate namin si BBM humanda kayo.”

Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra said the NBI would “give priority attention” to any validated information pertaining to a threat to the personal security of any presidential aspirant.”

AUTHOR PROFILE

Hector Lawas