Butuan radio journalist nabbed for cyberlibel

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY –– A broadcast journalist in Butuan City was arrested on Tuesday, Aug. 18, for alleged violation of the cybercrime law, a police report said.

The case was filed by the former information chief of the Caraga regional police office, who was reported by the station to have availed of aesthetic surgery service from a local doctor, who, in turn, was arrested for alleged possession of illegal drugs.

The Butuan police identified the suspect as Ramil Bangues, station manager and anchor of dxBC of the Radio Mindanao Network (RMN).

Bangues is also president of the Kapisanan ng mga Brodkaster ng Pilipinas chapter covering Butuan City and Agusan del Sur.

The arrest warrant against Bangues was issued by Judge Isah Echem-Tangonan of Butuan Regional Trial Court Branch 33.

In a phone interview, Bangues considers the arrest as “pure harassment.”

Bangues said his arrest stemmed from a complaint filed by Lt. Col. Christian Rafols, then information officer of the Caraga regional police office.

In the course of reporting about the arrest of a local doctor specializing in aesthetic surgery, allegedly for illegal drugs, Rafols was mentioned as among the doctor’s clients.

Bangues said the mention of Rafols was based on the doctor’s own social media post, before his arrest, that the police official underwent aesthetic surgery in his clinic.

“Our report was not libelous,” Bangues asserts.

He added that Rafols’ reputation was not tarnished, evidenced by his promotion as police chief of Surigao City, a post he continues to hold today.

At the time of reporting, Bangues and an RMN lawyer is processing for his bail, set by the court at P80,000.

Edited by LZB