Two sisters from Lapu-Lapu City, Cebu were arrested for allegedly posting libelous statements against their mother.
Lyka Sumalinog, 27, and Gabrielle Sumalinog 24, were apprehended by Cybercops of the Regional Anti-Cybercrime Unit on Friday, November 18.
The sisters allegedly violated Section 4 (c) (4) Libel of Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012.
“The unlawful or prohibited acts of libel as defined in Article 355 of the Revised Penal Code, as amended, committed through a computer system or any other similar means which may be devised in the future,” the provision reads.
Article 355 of the Revised Penal Code defined libel as a “public and malicious imputation of a crime, or of a vice or defect, real or imaginary, or any act, omission, condition, status, or circumstance tending to cause the dishonor, discredit, or contempt of a natural or juridical person, or to blacken the memory of one who is dead.”
Regional Trial Court Branch 7 Judge Nelson Leyco issued the arrest warrant on Monday, November 14.
The count of cyber libel was unspecified, but the bail has been set at P48,000 for each.
“Posting of libelous statements or commenting on photos whose purpose is to defame a person in social media is punishable under the law. ACG discourages anyone from doing so as these have repercussions,” Anti-Cybercrime Group Director Police Brigade General Joel Doria said.
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