THE National Bureau of Investigation on Tuesday said its agents arrested a public school teacher in Zambales, who posted on Twitter an offer of 50 million to anyone who could kill President Duterte.
Ronnel Mas, 25, was arrested in Barangay Poblacion North, in Sta. Cruz, Zambales by agents of the NBI Dagupan District Office, said NBI deputy director Ferdinand Lavin.
Mas initially denied posting the reward offer but later admitted doing it, said one of the arresting agents.
“He is a teacher, of course, he denied the crime but while on board our vehicle, with his parents, traversing our way back to Dagupan, we applied reverse psychology on him. After a few minutes, he cried and admitted the crime,” said the agent who requested not to be identified.
The NBI said its operatives in Dagupan City tracked Mas’ location by coordinating with barangay officials and tracing links of comments on his tweet.
Mas is facing charges of inciting to sedition related to cybercrime as well as violation of the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees.
NBI Dagupan District Office chief Rizaldy Jaymalin said Mas is covered by the cybercrime said law because he is a government employee. He also said freedom of expression is not absolute, especially “when one is inciting people to commit crime or horrific deeds.”
The NBI said Mas posted March 5 the tweet, “I will give 50 million reward kung sino ang makakapatay kay Duterte,’ prompting the NBI to conduct an investigation.
The tweet has been removed.
A video posted by the NBI after Mas was taken to the Dagupan district office showed the later becoming emotional as he apologized to the NBI and to Duterte.
He said he posted the tweet just to seek attention and meant no harm
to the President.
”Hindi ko po intension yun. Kumbaga yung tweet na yun saloobin ko lang
kaso walang pumapansin, kaya nagawa ko yun. Wrong move ko po talaga.
Nagso-sorry na po ako kay President Duterte (That was not my intention.
That tweet was just my sentiment but it was being ignored. I know it’s a wrong move on my part and I apologize to President Duterte),” he said in a video posted by the NBI.
Mas’ father asked Duterte to forgive his son, saying he is not a bad person.
Presidential spokesman Harry Roque assured the teacher of due process and fairness. — Ashzel Hachero and Jocelyn Montemayor
