Agusan man arrested for calling Duterte ‘crazy’ online

BUTUAN CITY—Police arrested a salesman in Agusan del Norte province after he cursed at President Duterte in a social media post.

Reynaldo Orcullo, 41, from Nasipit town, was the fourth person arrested this week by authorities over online posts that threatened or insulted the President. Police earlier arrested a teacher in Zambales, a construction worker in Aklan and a woman in Cebu after they offered a supposed reward of P50 million to P100 million for those who would kill Mr. Duterte.

Police Brig. Gen. Joselito Esquivel Jr., Caraga police director, said Orcullo posted alleged libelous statements, prompting his arrest for violating the Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012 (Republic Act No. 10175).

Police said Orcullo posted “Alam na pattern, mosalida si Go konuhay siya mohangyo sa buang nga Pangulo, Digong gago. Buang si Digong (We know the pattern, [Sen. Bong] Go would put up a show asking the crazy President. Digong is stupid. Digong is crazy).”

The Caraga police did not provide a screenshot of Orcullo’s post. The Inquirer went through his Facebook page on Thursday and found a May 6 post showing an almost similar message, minus the reference to Go and the President.

In Manila, Prosecutor General Benedicto Malcontento said Ronnel Mas, the high school teacher who tweeted a P50-million bounty to anyone who could kill the President, would be charged in a Zambales court next week with inciting to sedition in relation to RA 10175. —REPORTS FROM CHRIS PANGANIBAN, ERWIN MASCARIÑAS AND DONA Z. PAZZIBUGAN