CIDG files sedition raps vs vlogger

MANILA, Philippines —The Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) yesterday filed a complaint for sedition before the Department of Justice (DOJ) against a vlogger for allegedly calling on the police and the military to topple the government.

A case of inciting to sedition in relation to Republic Act 10175 or the Cybercrime Prevention Act was lodged against Clemente Enrique, a former Army captain.

Enrique has several YouTube channels, which he is using as his platform to attack the Marcos administration.

CIDG director Brig. Gen. Nicolas Torre III led the filing of the complaint against Enrique.

When Torre, a former Davao police director, was leading the manhunt for Kingdom of Jesus Christ founder Apollo Quiboloy, Enrique urged the police and military to surrender to the local government unit.

There was another instance where Enrique asked soldiers and police officers to topple the government.

“He is calling on the Armed Forces and the PNP (Philippine National Police) to abandon the government and topple it,” Torre told reporters. “That’s foul. That’s not right.”

Torre said Enrique may also face sanctions for wearing a beret in his vlogs.

“It’s inevitable that his former Army unit will be dragged into this,” Torre said.

While everyone is entitled to express opinions in a democracy, Torre said there are limitations as these should be within the bounds of the law.

Torre said Enrique can submit his counter-affidavit to the DOJ to refute the allegations hurled against him.