Dwayne Pelagio

Surigao del Norte Rep. Robert Ace Barbers urged the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) on Nov. 25 to investigate the “deliberate disinformation drive by the seemingly organized vloggers” regarding the House quad committee’s investigation into the Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGO).

Photo Courtesy of OneNews PH/iGaming Business.

He asked NBI Director Jaime Santiago to look into the alleged persons or groups funded by illegal drug syndicates to “bend the truth” about POGOs online, and reveal the identities of the persons responsible for posting “misleading information” through a letter. 

“Very obvious na well-organized at bayaran ang mga vloggers na ito na gustong sirain ang pangalan ko, ng kapatid ko, at mga Quad-Comm members. Sabi nila, ito yung mga bayarang grupo ng tagapagkalat ng kasinungalingan. Siguro nasasaktan na ang kanilang mga employers na POGO operators at drug lords dahil sa patuloy na Quad-Comm investigations,” the lawmaker said in a statement on Dec. 1.

Barbers further stated that the vloggers will “not only damage the integrity of public service, but also foster an environment of confusion, distrust, and deception of public perception.”

He submitted evidence that includes videos and posts that claimed he and his brother, Surigao del Norte Gov. Lyndon Barbers, were linked to illegal drugs.

Barbers urged the NBI to file charges once the identities of the vloggers have been revealed.

The vloggers may face 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 Sec. 6 of the Cybercrime Prevention Act.

The House Quad committee was formed to investigate, in aid of legislation, the criminal activities of POGOs, illegal drugs, and extra-judicial killings during the previous administration. 

The mega panel is composed of the Committees on Dangerous Drugs, Public Order and Safety, Public Accounts, and Human Rights.