CEBU CITY—A former city councilor was arrested on charges of cyber libel that were filed by a party-mate.
Pastor Alcover Jr., who is running for councilor in the upcoming elections, was arrested in his home in Barangay Lahug on Friday, March 4, by operatives of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG)-Cebu Province Field Unit.
The two counts of cyber libel charges were filed by former Cebu City Administrator Floro Casas Jr., who, like Alcover, belongs to the administration party.
Alcover said he was surprised with his arrest, saying he did not know that charges were filed against him.
Alcover was even more surprised that Casas was behind the charges.
Alcover, a former party-list representative, admitted that there was a time when he and Casas were at odds.
Alcover said the charges may have stemmed from his previous social media posts against Casas.
“But I thought the difference was already settled. We patched things up when Mayor Edgardo Labella was still alive,” Alcover said.
The arrest warrant was issued by Regional Trial Court Judge Ramond Bueno Daomilas Jr. of Branch 11 in Cebu City.
Alcover, who posted P20,000 bail a few hours after the arrest, said the development will definitely affect the party.
“It will affect the image of the party because it seems we are fighting each other when we are supposed to be intact. But I can’t do anything about it, let them explain and I will do my explanation also,” said Alcover.
For his part, Mayor Michael Rama assured Alcover of the party’s support.
“We will not abandon him, we will be assisting him,” said Rama.