PNP arrests radio broadcaster for cyberlibel raps vs ex-Ilocos Norte mayor


A journalist who is accused of six counts of cyberlibel has been arrested by the Philippine National Police (PNP) in Pasay City on Sunday, August 28.

Oswaldo Carbonell (Photo by PNP)

Police Gen. Rodolfo Azurin Jr., PNP Chief, announced the arrest of Oswaldo Carbonell alias Waldy Carbonell, 79, a radio broadcaster at DWBL and a political commentator, while jogging at the By the Bay Parking bike station of SM Mall of Asia (MOA) around 9:30 a.m.

Elements of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) served a warrant of arrest against Carbonell for six counts of alleged violation of Republic Act 10175 or the Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012 issued by Judge Bonhoefer Vergara Bernardez, presiding judge of the First Judicial Region, Regional Trial Court Branch 15 of Laoag City, Ilocos Norte dated Oct. 21, 2021.

The judge set the bail for P72,000 per case.

The charges were filed by Piddig, Ilocos Norte former mayor Eduardo Guillen reportedly after Carbonnel discussed on YouTube videos the alleged involvement of the official in graft and corruption.

In a YouTube video posted last year, Carbonnel reportedly said that Guillen filed cyberlibel cases against him for failing to get the former local executive’s side on his graft charges when these were discussed on the broadcaster’s social media account.

Carbonell was brought to CIDG Northern District Field Unit office for documentation and booking procedure, Azurin said.

“The PNP, through Anti-Cybercrime Group (ACG) as the prime mover in investigating cybercrimes, has been dealing with cases involving online fraud, human trafficking, theft, hacking, cyber stalking, and other unlawful acts. Sisiguraduhin po ng iyong kapulisan na mananagot ang sinumang lumabag sa batas at haharapin ang kaukulang parusa ayon sa korte (Your police will ensure that anyone who violates the law will be punished and face the court for their crimes)," the PNP chief added.