Cebuana artist Bambi Beltran nabbed anew

CEBUANA artist and businesswoman Maria Victoria “Bambi” Beltran was arrested again by operatives of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) Cebu Provincial Field Unit at 6:10 p.m. Friday, May 26, 2023.

Judge Merlo Pasco Baganao of Cebu City Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 14 issued the warrant for her arrest in connection with her case concerning Unlawful Use of Means of Publication and Unlawful Utterances, which is a violation of Article 154 of the Revised Penal Code referred to in Republic Act 10175.

A P36,000 bail has been approved by the court for Beltran's temporary liberty.

The CIDG served the warrant of arrest against the 62-year-old Beltran at her home on Gorordo Avenue, Barangay Kamputhaw, Cebu City.

On August 12, 2020, Beltran was also arrested by the operatives of the Regional Anti-Cybercrime Unit Central Visayas (Racu 7) at their restobar on Gorordo Avenue based on a warrant issued by RTC Branch 11 Judge Ramon Daomillas on July 21.

Police Colonel Marlo Castillo, Racu 7 chief, said Beltran was arrested based on a complaint filed by a certain April Cande Dequito, whom Beltran had an argument with on social media over the issue of same-sex marriage.

In April, Beltran became controversial for her social media posts concerning the Covid-19 situation in Sitio Zapatera, Barrio Luz.

Her post roused the ire of Cebu City Mayor Edgardo Labella who sued her for posting fake news.

On April 19, an arrest warrant was issued against her based on Labella’s complaint.

In response, Beltran filed countercharges against Labella, former Police Regional Office-Central Visayas Director Albert Ignatius Ferro and three other police officials before the Office of the Ombudsman-Visayas on June 19 for alleged arbitrary detention. (AYB/TPT)