Radio commentator nabbed for libel in Cagayan de Oro

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – Elements of the National Bureau of Investigation in Northern Mindanao arrested local radio commentator Ronnie Waniwan over a libel suit on Saturday morning.

Waniwan was nabbed while attending a class for his doctoral degree inside a hotel here, according to NBI-10 regional director Angelito Magno.

Magno said the warrant for Waniwan’s arrest was issued by Judge Giovanni Navarro of Branch 27 of Gingoog City over a libel case filed by a former policeman in the said city in 2005. Waniwan previously worked as a commentator in a Gingoog radio station.

It was not clear yet why the warrant had only been served now and on a weekend when it could have been served on weekdays.

Waniwan is running for a seat in the Cagayan de Oro city council under the local party of former mayor Vicente Emano, who is trying to make a comeback at city hall against incumbent Mayor Oscar Moreno.

City councilor Leon Gan, Waniwan’s lawyer, said the broadcaster will be posting bail.

READ: Radio broadcaster in Davao del Sur faces 255 counts of libel