A FILIPINO vlogger has been arrested and accused of inciting sedition over a Facebook post authorities interpreted as a veiled death threat against President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.
Michael “Mike” Romero, a video blogger, shared a picture on October 3 of President Marcos with other officials outside the earthquake-damaged city hall in Bogo, Philippines. The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) said the photo was overlaid with a red arrow pointing at President Marcos’ head and the single-word caption “headshot.”
NBI Director Jaime Santiago told reporters that “‘headshot’ it means you would be shot in the head,” and that the bureau took the post seriously.
The NBI will file a criminal complaint accusing Romero of inciting sedition and making a grave threat, offenses punishable by at least six years in prison.
Santiago stated that while vloggers have a right to freedom of speech, there are limits, especially when it comes to threats against the president or vice president.
Romero, who has 98,000 followers, describes himself as a diehard supporter of former president Rodrigo Duterte, as well as a pop singer and tech expert.
His original “headshot” post has been removed and replaced with the same picture and arrow, but a new caption: “City Hall is really accurate.” The amended caption appears to be a play on the building’s exterior signage, as Bogo means “dumb” or “stupid” in the local Cebuano language.
Kung nagnakaw ka na lng sana ng bilyones… ngiti-ngiti ka lang ngayon. Nasampolan ka tuloy sa kaka post mo. 😛