Ex-radioman arrested anew for cyber libel

ANOTHER warrant of arrest has been served against a former radio broadcaster while inside the Cagayan de Oro City Jail last Friday, March 1, just three days after he was arrested for similar charges.

Members of the Crime Against Persons and Property Desk (CAPPD) of the Cagayan de Oro City Police Office (Cocpo),and the police cyber crime unit implemented the arrest warrant against Siegfred "Jigs" Padua for cyber libel in relation to section 4 of the Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012 (RA 10175).

The arrest warrant was issued by Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 18 in Cagayan de Oro City last February 21. Bail was recommended at P72,000.

Padua was detained at the city jail after he was arrested in Barangay Iponan for similar charges last February 26.

The case was filed by former City Schools Division superintendent Elena Borcillo.

This is the second cyber libel case filed against Padua after some officials of the Department of Education (DepEd) in the city cried foul over his posts on his social media accounts.

The Cagayan de Oro Press Club (COPC) earlier assured that it will deal with the situation and appropriate actions will be taken which may include removal of Padua from the club.

"COPC will not tolerate this kind of modus being concocted by Mr. Padua who has been using his COPC membership in undertaking these alleged shady transactions,"the COPC said in a statement. (Alwen Saliring)