The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) assured on Sunday, Jan. 11, it will investigate to determine who were behind the rumors that Ombudsman Jesus Crispin C. Remulla was critically ill, had to be rushed to the hospital, and eventually passed away last December.

NBI Director Angelito DLP. Magno said the bureau is ready to serve and respond to requests for assistance from all government agencies.

“In particular, the circulation of false information on social media regarding the alleged death of Ombudsman Remulla constitutes the dissemination of fake news through information and communications technology,” he pointed out.

Last Thursday, Jan. 8, Ombudsman Remulla asked the NBI to probe false information on social media of his illness, hospitalization and eventual death.

"We've reached the limit of cyber libel already. Tignan natin kung saan pupunta. (Let's see where it goes). I am asking the NBI to look into these allegations," he told journalists last Thursday.

Magno said the dissemination of such false information violates Republic Act (RA) No. 10175, the Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012, which is within the jurisdiction of the NBI to investigate.

He also said that the NBI has long been assisting ordinary citizens with their complaints regarding misinformation, disinformation, and such other online libelous publications against them.

“While the Bureau is flooded with cases of such nature, we always do our best to resolve them in the soonest possible time,” he added.

Remulla had said that the baseless reports on his health condition are part of an “orchestrated campaign" by his political opponents.

He said he already has an idea who might be responsible for the false reports. He did not elaborate, however.

While these social media posts have already been denied by his brother, Local Government Secretary Juanito Victor “Jonvic” Remulla Jr., Ombudsman Remulla said he is facing the false reports head-on to find out who is responsible.