DOJ indicts sharer of ‘Bikoy’ videos

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Justice (DOJ) has approved the indictment of the arrested administrator of the website that originally posted the videos of “Ang Totoong Narcolist,” which accused several members of the presidential family of links to illegal drug trade in the country.

The DOJ has found basis to file a case for inciting to sedition under Article 142 of the Revised Penal Code in relation to Section 6 of Republic Act 10175 – the Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012 – against Rodel Jayme, creator of metrobalita.net, where the YouTube link of the videos was reportedly first posted.

The information or formal charge will be filed before the Parañaque regional trial court, according to DOJ officials.

The DOJ recommended bail for Jayme at P36,000. If convicted, he could face imprisonment of up to 12 years.

The DOJ decided to file the case in court after finding probable cause in the charges filed against Jayme by the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) during inquest proceedings last Thursday.

In the 13-page resolution released yesterday afternoon, the investigating panel of Senior Assistant State Prosecutor Anna Noreen Devanadera and Associate Prosecution Attorney Mary Grace Arboladura found that Jayme’s creation of the website and his use of it to circulate videos – which insinuated the involvement of President Duterte and his family in the drug trade –were aimed at weakening the confidence of the people in the government and stir up dissent.

The prosecutors likewise upheld the validity of the arrest of Jayme, saying Jayme was subjected to surveillance by the NBI, which satisfied personal knowledge on the part of its agents of the acts committed by him.

They further noted that since the circulation of the videos continues, the crime is still unfolding.

The panel also recommended further investigation by the NBI to identify the other unidentified individuals responsible for the actual production and posting of the videos. – With Alexis Romero