Viral video uploader surfaces

DAVAO CITY, Philippines — The person who uploaded the video of the killing of some members of the police Special Action Force (SAF) in Mamasapano, Maguindanao on Jan. 25 appeared before the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) Southern Mindanao Office here yesterday.

The video, including clips of an apparently wounded SAF commando lying on the ground and being shot with a pistol, went viral on social media. It was also the subject of discussion on whether to show it during the public hearing on the Mamasapano incident at the House of Representatives last week.

The House members eventually decided not to view the video during the hearing.

The person who uploaded the video, whose identity has been withheld, was traced by the NBI Cybercrime Division after a thorough investigation after the video went viral.

The cellular phones of the person who uploaded raw footage of the Mamasapano clash on the Internet will be subjected to forensics to establish how he obtained a copy of the video.

The phones, now with National Bureau of Investigation’s Cyber Crime Division (NBI-CCD), will be brought to Manila from Kidapawan, where the owner lives.

The forensics however has yet to start, according to NBI director Virgilio Mendez.

The NBI seized the cellphones after the uploader surfaced in the bureau’s office in Davao.

NBI Region 9 director Dante Gierran said the man was fetched from North Cotabato and brought to their office about 9 a.m.

It was discovered that the video was reportedly uploaded in Davao City and authorities were able to identify the so-called “uploader” who was invited to the NBI. -With Aie Balagtas See, Ramil Bajo