MANILA – Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) Spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea (WPS) Commodore Jay Tarriela on Friday filed a cyberlibel complaint against vlogger (video blogger) Sass Rogando Sasot.
The complaint was filed before the Manila Prosecutor’s Office through the legal assistance of the Movement Against Disinformation (MAD), a non-profit organization that seeks to combat disinformation on social media.
Tarriela is seeking over PHP1 million in damages.
In a statement, he said the complaint is “a necessary response to a series of baseless, malicious, and deeply personal online attacks that have targeted not only my private life but also my duties as Spokesperson for the WPS of the PCG.”
Sasot’s allegations against Tarriela include a USD4 million “talent fee” from the United States, an unspecified amount of money from House Speaker Martin Romualdez, and cheating while studying at the Philippine Military Academy.
He said all allegations are false and devoid of any factual basis.
“While I fully respect the role of free speech in a democratic society, that freedom does not extend to the willful spread of disinformation, personal defamation, or efforts to erode public confidence through falsehoods,” he said.
The complaint, he said, was not made solely to defend himself but also about “standing up for every public servant who silently endures online abuse and misrepresentation.”
“Let this serve as a reminder: freedom of expression must always be anchored in truth, responsibility, and respect,” he said.
In a separate statement, MAD said Sasot, also known as Allan Troy Rogando Sasot, published “a series of defamatory posts on Facebook and X (formerly Twitter)” between July and October last year.
“These posts falsely insinuate that Commodore Tarriela is involved in bribery, corruption, dishonesty, and misconduct. This conduct is not protected speech. It is libelous, harmful, and unlawful, and those responsible must be held legally accountable,” it said.
It noted that Tarriela’s role in keeping the public informed about developments in the WPS and the country’s efforts to assert sovereignty amidst ongoing tensions with China has made him a target of “organized online disinformation.”
“The fight against disinformation is not just about protecting reputations, it is about defending truth, justice, and democratic integrity. No one should be harassed or defamed for faithfully performing their duty,” it said. (PNA)