Manila RTC orders arrest of ex-Top Gear editor in cyber libel case
The Manila Regional Trial Court (RTC) has ordered the arrest of former Top Gear Philippines editor-in-chief Vernon Sarne in connection with his cyber libel case for identifying the wrong person as the gunman in a shooting incident in Manila in 2016.
In a report by Radyo Inquirer 990 AM, the Manila RTC Branch 12 ordered Sarne’s arrest after the Department of Justice indicted him for violation of the Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012 (Republic Act 10175).
Editor-in-Chief ng Top Gear Philippines na si Vernon Sarne, pinaaresto na – DZIQ Radyo Inquirer 990AM https://t.co/bo3uzGzV3Q | @albarmarch22
— RadyoInquirerOn-Line (@radyoinqonline) March 10, 2018
The court recommended a P10,000 bail for Sarne.
READ: DOJ approves filing of cyber libel raps vs ex-Top Gear editor
The case stemmed from a complaint filed by Nestor Punzalan accusing Sarne of tagging him as the gunman who shot and killed a cyclist and injured a female bystander during a road altercation in Quiapo, Manila.
Sarne posted Punzalan’s Facebook profile on social media and pointed to him as the gunman in the incident.
Police, however, identified ex-Army reservist Vhon Tanto, not Punzalan, as the gunman. –With Alvin Barcelona/Radyo Inquirer
