NCRPO chief Guillermo Eleazar threatens lawsuit over viral photo

MANILA, Philippines — National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) chief Director Guillermo Eleazar yesterday warned netizens that he will sue those who post a viral photo of him and a Chinese official.

The caption on the photo, posted on Wednesday, claimed Eleazar was being scolded by the official for allowing militants to stage a protest in front of the Chinese consulate during the first day of Chinese President Xi Jinping’s state visit.

The official could be a Chinese security officer as he has a gun tucked in his waistband during the “confrontation,” the caption stated.

“Fake news! This made my day,” an amused Eleazar said in his reaction to the Facebook post.

Eleazar said netizens who posted the photo may be charged with cyberlibel, which is punishable by up to 12 years in prison.

“Stop or risk geting caught and arrested,” he said.

Eleazar was the head of the Philippine National Police’s Cybercrime Group prior to heading the Quezon City Police District, the Calabarzon police and the NCRPO.

In his statement, Eleazar admitted talking to the Chinese official but pointed out that “the Chinese official was thanking me for the security arrangement we unfolded.”

“Modestly, I was telling him we were just doing our job and reciprocating the excellent security coverage they provided our own president was in China,” Eleazar said, referring to President Duterte’s state visit last year.

He said the Chinese official was not angry at all but could be frowning due to the heat.

Eleazar said the photo was taken at Rizal Park in Manila and not at the Chinese consulate in Makati City.

The Chinese official did not ask him about the protest rally at the Chinese consulate, he pointed out.

“I just told him that here in the Philippines, we are lenient with protesters conducting demonstrations as guaranteed by our Constitution,” Eleazar said.

He noted that he “allowed protesters to rally in Makati even without a permit as long as they avoid engagement areas and routes taken by our visitors.”