First cyber libel charge filed vs Facebook post

By Nitz Arancon,
Correspondent

PROSECUTORS are now dealing with the very first cyber libel case in the city based on an allegedly libelous post over Facebook.

Lawyer James Judith, who is representing Kickers Travel and Tours, has filed a libel case against a certain Lucy Salcedo Sambaan before the City Prosecutors Office.

According to the joint affidavit of the couple Randy and Marjolyn Lag-man, owners of Kickers Travel and Tours, Sambaan violated Republic Act 10175 or the Internet Communication Technology Law when she posted statements that was damaging the reputation of their travel agency.

The Lagmans claimed that Sambaan, using the user name “Toti Sal Sam,” posted on her Facebook account, dated June 24, that the Lagmans promised to purchase their plane tickets. Sambaan claimed the Lagmans did not deliver on their promise.

“Then last minute, ila (Kickers Travel and Tour) ming gi-ingan nga kami nalang daw magpalit sa ticket ila lang daw ming refunan,.. Nakalarga nalang ang uban nga mga students until now wala pa ang uban naefunan, including me,” Sambaan posted on her Facebook page.

The Lagmans said they sought the assistance of the Anti-Cyber Crime Group in Camp Alagar because of Sambaan’s allegedly libelous Facebook post.

“We have referred the matter to the PNP Anti Cyber Crime Group, and filed a complaint the and gave our  consent to them so they can access and search our Facebook accounts and investigate, capture, and preserve the libelous post of (Sambaan) for evidentiary purposes,” the Lagmans’ affidavit reads in part.

For his part, Judith said the cyber libel the Lagmans have filed should serve as a “warning” to other Facebook users who willingly post libelous statements online.

“Mas  maayo  nga mahibal-an sa general public nga dili basta basta mangda-ot sa Facebook kay naa na kanang balaod nga ICT law nga naghatag protection sa kadunggagan sa mga netizen,” Judith said.