Woman posts theft complaint on FB, nabbed for cyber libel
A woman who accused her neighbor in Cebu City of theft this week found herself being arrested by the police for a cyber libel offense after she posted her complaint on Facebook, the director of the Philippine National Police Anti-Cybercrime Group (PNP-ACG) said on Saturday.
“Let this incident be a warning to everyone. Remember to always think first before you click because the things you post in social media will always have repercussions,” said Brigadier General Joel B. Doria.
He referred to the case of Sheila Villarez who, sometime in September 2021, accused her neighbor of breaking into their house and stealing their P60,000 family savings. As a result, a case of theft was filed against the accused by the local police.
However, last December, the husband of Villarez was reportedly mauled by the man they accused of theft prompting her to post the criminal complaint they filed against him in Facebook.
In turn, the man filed a criminal complaint against the woman for violation of Republic Act 10175 or the Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012 specifically its Section 4 or cyber libel.
Doria said that a Cebu City judge issued the warrant of arrest against the woman prompting members of the Regional Anti-Cybercrime Unit (RACU) 7 under Colonel Ferdinand Raymundo to arrest her in their residence in Bgy. Camputhaw last Thursday.
She is now under the custody of the RACU 7 while her bail is still being processed.
“With the advent of modern technology, more and more people are using social media in expressing their emotions, anguish and rage about certain things and people. We at the PNP-ACG remind everyone to be responsible in what you post online. You can be a complainant now, but you can never be too sure when you might also turn out to be a suspect for cyber libel,” Doria said.
