The Quezon City Police District (QCPD) said Tuesday, Aug. 9, that former vice-presidential candidate and human rights activist Walden Bello was released from police custody after posting bail for his cyberlibel cases.
Bello, 76, was arrested in his house in Barangay Holy Spirit by members of the QCPD Proj. 4 Station (PS 8) on Monday, Aug. 8, by virtue of an arrest warrant for two counts of violation of Republic Act 10175 (The Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012).
The warrant was issued by Judge Retrina Espe Fuentes, presiding judge of Davao City Regional Trial Court, 11th Judicial Region, Branch 10, on Aug. 8.
The QCPD Public Information Office said that Bello was released from police custody at around 5 p.m. following a release order signed by Executive Judge Cecilyne E. Burgos-Villavert of the Regional Trial Court (RTC), National Capital Judicial Region, Quezon City. He was assisted by the PS 8.
The defeated candidate's camp was able to post bail for the cases amounting P96,000 (P48,000 each) at the QC RTC, it added.
Bello's cases stemmed from the complaints filed by former Davao City Information Officer Jefry Tupas, saying that the human rights activist accused him of being involved in illegal drugs.
The Davao Prosecution Office indicted the former vice presidential candidate for two counts of libel on June 2022.
Read more : Defeated VP candidate Bello arrested for cyberlibel, Losing VP aspirant Walden Bello indicted for two counts of libel