Vloggers Tied to POGO, Drug Syndicates to Face Charges

Vloggers allegedly hired by POGOs and drug syndicates to spread falsehoods against the House Quad Committee may face charges.

Vloggers allegedly hired by Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs) and drug syndicates to spread false information and discredit the House of Representatives' Quad Committee may face legal consequences under the Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012.

Representative Robert Ace Barbers, the overall chairperson of the Quad Committee, has officially requested the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) to investigate and prosecute these individuals for disseminating misinformation aimed at undermining the committee's investigations and its members.

In a formal letter to NBI Chief Atty. Jaime Santiago, Barbers outlined potential charges, including libel, sedition, conspiracy to commit sedition, incriminating innocent persons, and intriguing against honor, all in conjunction with the Cybercrime Prevention Act.

“Subject to the appreciation of your good office, these charges may include the crimes of Libel (Art. 353 RPC), Sedition (Art. 139 RPC), Conspiracy to Commit Sedition (Art. 142 of RPC), Incriminating Innocent Person Act (Art. 363 RPC), and Intriguing Against Honor (Art. 364 RPC) – all in relation to Section 6 of the Cybercrime Prevention Act,” Barbers stated in his letter to NBI Chief Atty. Jaime Santiago.

Barbers expressed confidence in the NBI Cybercrime Division's ability to gather crucial evidence, such as metadata and activity logs, to support potential charges.

The representative has reportedly submitted evidence to the NBI for investigation. This evidence includes vlogs originating from his province, Surigao del Norte, and subsequently spreading across Metro Manila. These vlogs falsely linked him and his brother, Surigao del Norte Governor Lyndon Barbers, to illegal drug activities.

The Quad Committee has been actively investigating POGO-related issues, including alleged involvement in illegal activities and tax evasion. 

Read related article: POGO-Funded Slander Campaign Condemned by Barbers