RADIO broadcaster and City Councilor Zaldy Ocon surrendered to the police Monday afternoon after a regional court released a warrant of arrest against him over cyber libel case.

Police regional spokesperson Major Michelle Olaivar said Ocon was assisted by his lawyer when he surrendered to the police in Malaybalay City in Bukidnon.

According to Olaivar the warrant of arrest against Ocon was issued by Emmanual Pasal, presiding judge of the Regional Trial Court Branch 38, for the crime of libel under Article 353 of the Revised Penal Code about Section 4 (C) of Republic Act No. 10175 or the Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012.

Upon his surrender, Ocon posted P528,000 bail for the charges and was later released from police custody around 2 p.m., said Olaivar.

It was not learned who shouldered Ocon’s bail.

“Ang atong Labawng Makagagahum nagabuhat gayud og mga katingalahang butang! (The Lord Almighty really does wonderful things!), said Cagayan De Oro First District Rep. Orlando "Klarex" Uy.

With these simple words, Uy thanked the Heavens and everyone for supporting him amidst allegations from his political opponents that he is a drug lord.

His friend-turned-nemesis, Ocon, faces 11 counts of cyber libel filed against him by Uy.

The prosecutors had earlier set the bail at P48,000 per count.

“He surrendered before the police for fear that the police will serve him the warrant of arrest and handcuff him. So he surrendered to prevent that eventuality,” a supporter of Uy said.

Earlier, Judge Pasal issued the arrest warrant against Ocon after the City Prosecutor’s Office formally filed the cases against him after denying his Motion for Reconsideration.

Despite that cases had already been filed against him, Ocon continued with his allegations in all his blocktime radio programs that Uy is included in President Duterte’s drug list of high-profile personalities in the drug trade even though the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) already cleared the congressman of any wrongdoings.

”No. He is not included in the drug list,” the PDEA said, referring to Uy.

However, Ocon refused to produce his list, saying that he will do so in the proper venue.

But during last week’s City Council session, Ocon blurted out in anger after the majority did not carry his special report.

"During our committee hearing, you showed the drug list for 2020. What I have with me is the drug list of 2016.” 

“Bisan siya nakapiyansa karon, ang iyang pag-surrender nagpamatuod lamang nga nahadlok na siya madutlan sa mga kaso nga atong gisang-at batok kaniya. Anaa pa gihapoy hustisya,” Uy said.

Uy said Ocon’s surrender and eventual posting of bail is the “third success” he achieved in his fight for truth against the allegations.

“Kini ang ikatulong kalampusan nga atong natagamtam. Ang una mao kadtong resolution sa mga prosecutors nga adunay probable cause ang atong gi-file nga kaso batok kaniya. Ang ikaduhang kalampusan mao kadtong pag deny sa mga prosecutors sa iyang motion for reconsideration,” Uy said.

“Ang kamatuoran mogawas ra gayud sa tukmang panahon,” he added.

Ocon has yet to provide a comment why he surrendered to the Malaybalay police and not to Cagayan de Oro City police. (Ben Balce)