MANILA – The Philippine National Police was set to file a charge against blogger Drew Olivar for a bomb-scare post on social media.
Olivar will be held liable for spreading a false bomb threat to one of the rallies commemorating the 46th anniversary of martial law last Friday, PNP chief Director General Oscar Albayalde said Monday.
Albayalde said Olivar faces a charge for violation of Presidential Decree 1727, which prohibits the malicious dissemination of false information or willful making of any threats concerning bombs, explosives or any similar devices.
“Hindi lang siya maaresto that time kasi nangyari iyon medyo matagal na but he will be formally charged in court,” Albayalde told a news conference in Camp Crame.
Violation of the said Presidential Decree is punishable by imprisonment of not more than five years or a P40,000 maximum fine, Albayalde said.
On Sept. 21 Olivar wrote on Facebook that anti-Duterte protesters on EDSA might be victimized by a bomb explosion similar to the Plaza Miranda bombing in 1971.
That post has drawn the ire of the netizens, who urged the authorities to hold Olivar liable for his action despite him already apologizing in a video post.
This was not the first time Olivar was embroiled in a social media controversy.
Netizens and several lawmakers were irked when he and Presidential Communications Assistant Secretary Margaux “Mocha” Uson posted the “pepe-dede-ralismo” video on the latter’s Facebook page.
Supposedly aimed at raising public awareness on federalism, the video showed Olivar making salacious body movements.
Just recently the two were again involved in a controversial video that saw thm making fun of sign languages. They have been charged before the Office of the Ombudsman./PN
