Arrested man cries politicking

CEBU, Philippines — A 35-year-old supporter of San Fernando, Cebu mayoral candidate Ruben Feliciano has blamed politicking behind his arrest.

Shielbert Michael Alerta Encabo, a resident of the town, was apprehended Tuesday for allegedly posting defamatory remarks on Facebook against Ritche Paul Manugas, a businessman and a purok chairman of Barangay South Poblacion in San Fernando.

He reportedly posted a fake drug list bearing the name of Manugas, who the former also said receives money from self-confessed drug lord Franz Sabalones.

Encabo has reportedly been using several dummy accounts, such as Micmic Encabo, Mikay Alerta Encabo and Rachel Pollo, to discredit Manugas.

But Encabo denied all the allegations hurled against him, saying the accusations are politically-motivated.

Encabo is a strong supporter of Feliciano, while Manugas, his relative, is a supporter of the Reluyas.

“This is political harassment,” he said.

He reiterated that he has only one Facebook account and that is Shielbert Alerta Encabo.

 “I don’t have the drug list. Why accused me? Better prove your allegations against me,” said Encabo, who is currently detained at the Cebu Provincial Police Office (CPPO) stockade.

Encabo is set to pay the P30,000 bail bond for his temporary liberty.

Encabo is facing two counts of cyber libel.

Prosecutor III Jasmin Despi of the Cebu Provincial Prosecutor’s Office has found probable cause to indict 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 (Manugas) and his witnesses that his Rachel Pollo. Neither did he give any possible reasons why amongst all the people in the world Manugas is saying he is Rachel Pollo,” said Despi. — KBQ (FREEMAN)