Man nabbed over 'fake' drug list

CEBU, Philippines — The Regional Anti-Cybercrime Office in Central Visayas has arrested a man over Facebook posts, tagging a purok chairman of Barangay South Poblacion, San Fernando as recipient of self-confessed drug lord Franz Sabalones’ money.

Shielbert Michael Alerta Encabo, a resident of village, was arrested during the implementation of an arrest warrant around 1 p.m. yesterday. The order was issued by Judge Ramon Daomilas of Regional Trial Court Branch 11.

Encabo has reportedly been using pseudonyms, such as Shelbert Alerta Encabo, Micmic Encabo, Mikay Alerta Encabo and Rachel Pollo

In his complaint, Ritche Paul Manugas, also a businessman, alleged that a certain Rachel Pollo posted on Facebook on May 21, 2018, asking the “whereabouts of the money of Sabalones.”

Pollo reportedly posted a drug list, which includes the name of Manugas.

Pollo also posted on his Facebook account, alleging that Manugas molested a child inside his sibling’s room and that he was housed by a San Fernando priest.

Two days after, Pollo allegedly posted on Facebook a photo of Manugas with caption, “This is Ritchie Paul Ching Manugas one of the recipients of the money of Franz.”

“Rachel Pollo in other words insinuated that he was once the lover of a priest assigned in San Fernando, that he abused or assaulted a child sexually and that he is the keeper of the drug money of Franz Sabalones,” Manugas said.

Manugas also denied all the allegations.

Witnesses Jennifer Loguiber and Analie Loyola have identified Rachel Pollo as Encabo. They said Encabo admitted to them that the Facebook account Rachel Pollo is his.

The witnesses also saw Encabo accessed the Facebook account.

“Respondent (Encabo) also told her that he uses the said account to ensure his debtors will pay him by telling them that they will be shamed on Facebook should they fail to settle their debts with him,” Loguiber said.

In his counter-affidavit, Encabo denied the allegations filed against him, claiming that he only have one Facebook account, which is Shielbert Alerta Encabo.

But Police Officer 3 Henry Abatayo of Anti-Cybercrime Office said Encabo is using several dummy accounts, including Rachel Pollo.

Prosecutor III Jasmin Despi of Cebu Provincial Police Office found probable cause to charge Encabo before the court.

“No convincing evidence was presented by the respondent (Encabo) to reinforce his denial. He did not even make any attempt to disavow, challenge and oppose the contention of the complainant and his witnesses that his Rachel Pollo. Neither did he give any possible reasons why amongst all the people in the world Ritche is saying he is Rachel Pollo,” read the resolution.

Since the issue involves “factual matters that cannot be threshed out conclusively during the preliminary stage of the case,” Despi recommended two counts of cyber libel be elevated before the court.

The ruling was also approved by the provincial prosecutor. — KBQ (FREEMAN)