Ridon: We’ll ask CICC to check threats from Sultan Kudarat town exec

MANILA, Philippines — House of Representatives prosecution panel member and Bicol Saro party-list Rep. Terry Ridon will ask the Cybercrime Investigation and Coordinating Center (CICC) to check the threats made through social media by a councilor from Lebak town in Sultan Kudarat.

In a statement on Thursday, Ridon said that they will also ask the Department of the Interior and Local Government to look into the matter of Councilor Robert “Tonton” Celestial, who allegedly messaged the lawmaker and threatened to punch him.

READ: Duterte on impeachment ‘bloodbath’: ‘I will be bloodied but unbowed’

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Ridon posted screenshots of the message allegedly made by Celestial through social media.

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“We will ask the CICC to look into this incident of digital threats made by Lebak, Sultan Kudarat SB member Robert ‘Tonton’ Celestial, in order that criminal charges can be made against him on the basis of cybercrime violations,” Ridon said.

“We will also ask the DILG to look into the matter and preventively suspend Mr Celestial pending ongoing investigations, as LGU (local government unit) officials commit misconduct if they make criminal threats against others while holding public office,” he added.

In the post on his Facebook page, Ridon showed screenshots of a certain “Ton Celestial” — who appears to be Lebak’s council member — threatening to punch him.

“Pag nasapak ko mukha mo ewan ko nalang (When I punch your face I don’t know what happens after),” Celestial said.

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Aside from Ridon, Digital Pinoys — a network of digital advocates — asked CICC to investigate the threat made to Ridon, who is currently a member of the prosecution team for Vice President Sara Duterte’s impeachment trial.

“While we should respect where people stand regarding the impeachment proceedings, threatening an impeachment prosecutor, or anyone else for that matter, is unacceptable. What’s more deplorable is that the threat came from a government official. This kind of action should not be tolerated,” Digital Pinoys national campaigner Ronald Gustilo said in a letter.

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“The deactivation of the Facebook account after the alleged threat surfaced should not stop authorities from conducting a thorough investigation. Digital evidence can still be preserved and examined through the proper legal channels. If there is a basis to believe that a violation of the law has been committed, those responsible must be held accountable,” he added.

According to Gustilo, public officials must exercise prudence and responsibility in their use of digital platforms, noting that elected officials should set an example for the people.

“The rule of law applies equally to everyone. Public office does not exempt anyone from accountability, especially when actions taken online may constitute criminal offenses. We trust that the CICC will investigate and take appropriate action based on the evidence,” he noted.

Some individuals have already claimed that Celestial’s social media accounts may have been compromised, but Ridon thinks otherwise.  According to Ridon, a person said that another device was using Celestial’s credentials at 3:56 p.m. of Tuesday, when the post was made at just 3:07 p.m.

“Threat today, hacked later.  How were you hacked when it’s only 3:07 p.m. today and the time stamp here is 3:56 p.m. already, you’re funny.  Just explain your side before the CICC and DILG,” he added in Filipino.

Ridon has been one of the more vocal members of the prosecution team.  On Tuesday, after Duterte was seen inside the Senate, Ridon urged the Vice President to face her impeachment trial, saying that she is very much welcome to attend the bloodbath.

According to Ridon, it is not possible to participate in a bloodbath but at the same time, Duterte will field proxies for her.

Ridon’s remarks came after Duterte, during a short press briefing, again made references to her “bloodbath” statement, saying that while she expects to be “bloodied,” she will be unbowed.”

“Welcome to the bloodbath, Madam Vice President. But you cannot have a bloodbath from the sidelines, you cannot have a bloodbath through proxies,” Ridon said.  “Hindi ho pwedeng mga abogado lang ‘yon pong humaharap sa paglilitis (Not only lawyers should face the trial).”

“Dumalo po tayo sa paglilitis, harapin natin ang katotohanan (Join the trial, that is where you should face the truth.),” he added.

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On the same day, Ridon urged lawyers supporting Duterte to have pity on trees, as they only wasted paper when they asked the Supreme Court to stop the impeachment proceedings anew. /jpv