On Wednesday, Senator Risa Hontiveros lodged a cyberlibel complaint with the National Bureau of Investigation targeting the individual who alleged that the senator pressured him into testifying against former President Rodrigo Duterte, Vice President Sara Duterte, and imprisoned preacher Apollo Quiboloy.
The individuals mentioned as respondents are Michael Maurillo, also known as Rene, and the social media page "Pagtanggol Valiente," responsible for uploading the video.
"Ang pangunahing layunin ng reklamo ay upang malaman kung sino ang mga taong responsable sa paggawa ng bidyo—dalawang videoclip nga—ni Michael Maurilio sapagkat hanggang ngayon, walang sumusuko o nag-aaklas," sabi niya sa isang ambuscada interbiyu.
The main purpose of the complaint is to determine who produced the videos featuring Michael Maurilio—there are now two known ones—as nobody has yet taken credit for them.
Michael Maurilio stated that Hontiveros forced him to testify against the Dutertes and Quiboloy, saying all statements from him and other witnesses during the Senate Committee on Women, Children, Family Relations, and Gender Equality proceedings were untrue.
Maurilio stated in a newly released video on Pagtanggol Valiente that he is prepared to undergo any necessary legal procedures.
He further stated that he is prepared to present evidence supporting his claims, emphasizing that he was neither abducted nor compelled to speak out.
"Hindi ako sinuhol, hinikayat, binitag o dinukot ng Kingdom o ng grupo nina Pastor Apollo Quiboiloy. Walang kabuluhan ang mga akusasyon na ibinuga ni Senator Risa sa kanyang press conference," aniya.
I wasn’t compensated, coerced, intimidated, or taken against my will by the Kingdom or Pastor Apollo Quiboloy’s group. What Senator Risa stated during her press briefing has no basis in fact.
Maurilio earlier recounted during a Senate inquiry how Quiboloy caused him harm and revealed that he had been sexually assaulted by multiple individuals within the KOJC. Additionally, he claimed to have seen the Dutertes bringing guns with them when they visited Quiboloy.
Sinabi niya, 'Maaari ko pong sabihin sa inyo, na bilang isang nasa serbisyo ng publiko, laging bukas ako at nararapat lamang na palagi akong bukas sa anumang puna o kritiko.'
Let me share this: As someone who works in public service, I believe it’s important to remain open—and continually stay open—to both feedback and constructive criticism.
"Pero talagang hindi ako sasang-ayon dito sa ganitong uri ng panlilinlang, partikular na kung ano’ng pinupuntirya ay di lamang ako. Pinupuntaan din nila ang aming mga witness, kasama rin ang aking staff at maging ang mismong Senado," dagdag pa niya.
But I won't ever tolerate these types of falsehoods—dangerous ones at that—especially since I wasn't the sole target. They've gone after witnesses, members of my team, and even the Senate as an institution.
The senator stated that she does not have any knowledge regarding where Maurilio is currently located.
Earlier, she stated that prior to the release of the video, Maurilio had asked the senator for assistance after being reportedly abducted and held captive at Glory Mountain in Davao City.
"Patuloy akong nananalig para sa kaniyang kaligtasan. Umaasa ako na madalian ng PNP-Davao ang lokasyon niya upang maireskate siya. Gayunman, kailangan din niyang bigyan ng paliwanag at humarap dahil sa pagmamalinis niya sa sarili sa mga bidyo," aniya.
I continue to offer prayers for his well-being. I trust that the PNP-Davao will quickly find and save him. Nevertheless, he must still clarify and take responsibility for misleading statements made in those clips.
Hontiveros stated that she likewise requested the NBI to look into those responsible for the social media account, pointing out that it was set up the day following Maurilio’s final messages.
"Posibleng may kinalaman yan sa 'cry for help' na iniwanan ng ilang buwan ang nakalipas ni Michael Maurilio," sabi nya.
(Since it's possible, or perhaps even probable, that this could be related to Michael Maurilio's plea for assistance from early last month.)
She also mentioned that she requested the NBI to look into vloggers who are spreading and contributing to Maurilio's "false claims."
She mentioned that these individuals include Krizette Chu, ex-broadcaster Jay Sonza, Sass Sasot, former press secretary Trixie Cruz-Angeles, as well as Banat Bay, along with several others.
“Sa ngayon ay mayroong isang dose na mga kaso, subalit base naman sa impormasyon mula sa NBI hinggil sa kanilang imbestigasyon, maari pang lumobo iyon at posibleng magdagdag pa ako ng iba pang kasuhan bukod sa cyber libel.” aniya.
So far, there are about twelve individuals involved, but depending on what the National Bureau of Investigation uncovers during their probe, this count may go up. In addition to charges of online defamation, I’m also considering filing further legal actions against them.
Hontiveros emphasized once again her intention to file criminal charges related to the video.—AOL, GMA Integrated News
This article Alyas Rene video prompts Hontiveros to file cyberlibel charge was originally published in GMA News Online .