‘Bikoy’ released after posting bail for cyberlibel case

MANILA, Philippines — Peter Joemel Advincula, who claims to be “Bikoy” in the “Ang Totoong Narcolist” videos, was released Wednesday from the Criminal and Detention Investigation (CIDG) Facility in Camp Crame, Quezon City after a Quezon City court granted his bail and issued a release order. 

Peter Joemel Advincula aka "Bikoy" of the "Ang Totoong Narcolist" videos has posted bail at the CIDG on Wednesday over the cyberlibel case filed against him. | @khallareINQ pic.twitter.com/iZEUD3Is6u

— Inquirer (@inquirerdotnet) July 31, 2019

According to Philippine National Police (PNP) Spokesperson Bernard Banac, the CIDG-National Capital Region Field Unit (CIDG-NCRFU) received the release order for Advincula at 2:45 p.m., after the latter posted bail amounting to P10,000. 

The release order was signed by Quezon City Regional Trial Court Brand 220 Judge Jose Paneda. 

Advincula then left the detention facility at 3:20 p.m. with his brother Joseph, who picked him up. 

CIDG-NCRFU Director Lt. Col Arnold Thomas Ibay, however, clarified that Advincula will still have to attend court hearings on the charges filed against him. 

Advincula first surrendered to the CIDG on Monday night, in relation to a warrant of arrest for cyberlibel against him. 

Although police have not confirmed who filed the cyberlibel case, records show that Bicolano businessman Elizaldy “Zaldy” Co filed on May 14 before the Legazpi City Prosecutor’s Office two cyberlibel complaints against Advincula; Rodel Jayme, owner of MetroBalita.net that circulated the controversial videos; Facebook; and Google. 

READ: ‘Bikoy’ surrenders to CIDG over cyberlibel case

In the fifth “Ang Totoong Narcolist” video, “Bikoy” claimed that Co was behind a drug syndicate called the Quadrangle Group that has been operating in Bicol. 

He also alleged that a basement inside the Misibis Resort and Hotel Management Inc., which Co owns, was being used as a drug laboratory. /je