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Thirty-two individuals have been arrested for online libel while 276 cases were referred for prosecution for the same offense from January 1 to May 15, 2026, the Philippine National Police (PNP) said on Wednesday.
In a statement, the PNP said its Anti-Cybercrime Group (ACG) said the arrested persons were facing charges for online libel and are punishable under Republic Act 10175 or the 2012 Cybercrime Prevention Act with a penalty one degree higher than traditional libel under the Revised Penal Code.
Online libel refers to the public and malicious imputation of a crime, vice, defect, or any act or circumstance that may cause dishonor or discredit when committed through information and communication technology.
The arrests and case referrals were carried out by the PNP-ACG’s special operating units and regional, provincial, city, and district cyber response teams across the country.
“Ang social media ay isang makapangyarihang instrumento ng komunikasyon, ngunit kaakibat nito ang pananagutan. The PNP will remain firm in enforcing the law habang tinitiyak natin na ang karapatan ng bawat isa ay nirerespeto,” PNP chief Police General Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr.
(Social media is a powerful instrument of communication, but this comes with accountability. The PNP will remain firm in enforcing the law while we ensure that everyone’s rights are respected.) — JMA, GMA News
