Probe body asked to investigate anonymous Facebook account

Friday, May 27, 2011

THE Baguio City Council has asked the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) to help identify the creator of "Saving Baguio" page on Facebook.

This developed after the page's creator allegedly threatened a blogger, a certain Michael Ortiz.

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In a City Council resolution, Ortiz reportedly inquired on Saving Baguio's Facebook wall about the identity of the councilor mentioned in its posts, who asked for money, computers and plane tickets from a business enterprise.

Ortiz reportedly received a death threat after posting an inquiry on Saving Baguio’s wall.

Proponents Philian Alan, Betty Lourdes Tabanda and Karminn Yañgot said such posts cast doubt among members of the council, hence the need to identify Saving Baguio’s creator.

“Such posting creates doubts and speculations on individual members of the council at the same time give a bad image to the whole council.”

The proponents said the NBI should begin investigating to verify the allegation, so that those accused would be given a chance to explain and if proven guilty of alleged speculation, an apology from the page’s creator should be done.

Further, the proponents asked the Saving Baguio’s creator to “refrain from making allegations on members of the Council in social networking sites unless they have proof.”

The proponents also said people who have complaints against city officials should file a complaint formally in court, than hide behind anonymous identities and spread accusations via social networks.