CEBU, Philippines - A radio block-timer was arrested by the Provincial Intelligence Branch (PIB) yesterday afternoon in a hotel at the vicinity of the Fuente Osmeña rotunda in Cebu City for a libel case.
A team led by PO3 Edgar Genita accosted Oscar Pasaporte after spotting him around 3 p.m.
Pasaporte is a radio dyDD Bantay Radyo block-timer, or someone who buys radio airtime for his own program.
His arrest was made by virtue of a Sept. 25 warrant for libel signed by the late Regional Trial Court Branch 61 judge Antonio Marigomen of Bogo City.
The police only knew that Pasaporte has a pending warrant of arrest and did not have any information as to the details of his offense.
Cebu Fourth District Rep. Benhur Salimbangon, though, confirmed that he was the one who filed the libel case before this year’s May 13 elections.
Salimbangon said he had has been the subject of attacks of Pasaporte in his radio program “Padayon Pilipinoâ€.
“Di man ko (I am not) onion-skinned, pulitiko man ta, sobra na gyud kaayo, ang mga bata wan- a kaagwanta. (I am a politician, but he was too much, and my children could no longer put up with him),†Salimbangon told The FREEMAN.
He said Pasaporte’s attacks were too personal and without any basis.
“Padayon gyud na ang kaso, importante mahuman ang kaso (This case must continue. It is important that this case must come to a conclusion),†Salimbangon said.
The court has set a P10,000 bond for the temporary liberty of Pasaporte, who is detained at the Consolacion police stockade. (FREEMAN)