NATIONAL Bureau of Investigation Director Melvin Matibag confirmed on Thursday that the agency has launched a formal investigation into the flood of online death threats and hostile remarks directed at Senator Risa Hontiveros.
Matibag disclosed that investigators have already identified several persons of interest linked to the posts, and are only awaiting the completion of formal documentation to advance the inquiry. “We’re just waiting for the formal documentation. But we’re already in the process of investigating this,” he told reporters in an ambush interview.
Matibag added that the NBI is currently building a solid case and will file appropriate charges before the Department of Justice once evidence is complete and sufficient.
The probe was triggered after a surge of threatening messages and abusive comments targeting Hontiveros surfaced online in the wake of the killing of pro‑Marcos vlogger Alicia “Mima Alicia” Lipata, who was gunned down outside her home in Caloocan City on July 17.
Senator Hontiveros noted that the hostile online activity erupted shortly after the high‑profile shooting, raising concerns over the use of digital platforms to spread hate and intimidate public officials. Authorities emphasized that threatening remarks, especially those involving violence, are illegal and will be pursued with full force.
The NBI assured the public that it will hold accountable anyone found responsible for issuing threats that undermine public safety and the proper exercise of democratic discourse.
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