The NBI presented to the media the man who voluntarily went to its office to disown the Tiktok account that mentioned a supposed threat to assassinate presidential candidate Bongbong Marcos. (Photo from the NBI)
MANILA, Philippines — The man whom authorities suspect to have made threats against presidential aspirant Ferdinand Marcos Jr. surrendered to the National Bureau of Investigation on Tuesday, but denied making the supposed threat on the popular video app Tiktok.
Accompanied by his lawyer, Ruel Ricafort said he decided to turn himself in to the NBI on Tuesday after he was informed he was being suspected of uploading the threatening TikTok video.
He admitted that he was part of a bikers’ group supporting the presidential bid of Vice President Leni Robredo, but maintained that he had nothing against the son and namesake of the late dictator.
“The man (in the TikTok video) was not me. I did not do it,” Ricafort said in a press conference at the NBI headquarters in Quezon City. “Someone used a photo from my Facebook account to create that account on TikTok.”
Ricafort said he would cooperate with the NBI’s investigation and undergo a lie detector test to prove his innocence.
NBI Deputy Director Vicente de Guzman III said Ricafort went to their office as he feared that he might be arrested by other law enforcement agencies.
“As of now, we still don’t have a case against him. That’s why we’re conducting the investigation to determine [if he has any criminal liability],” De Guzman said.
Just moments before Ricafort faced the media, Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra said it would be better not to identify him due to security reasons.
“I think he went to the NBI to give his side, but he’s not under arrest,” Guevarra said.
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