72-year-old journalist nabbed in QC over cyberlibel rap from Davao City

MANILA — Authorities arrested a 72-year-old journalist in Quezon City on Saturday over a cyberlibel complaint from Davao City.

Philip Lustre Jr. was in a forum in a Quezon City restaurant when police apprehended him. Uniformed personnel read him his Miranda rights.

Authorities are yet to disclose the complainant.

Lustre said he is unaware of any complaint against him.

“Ilalaban ko ito. Hindi ko uurungan ‘to,” Lustre said as he entered the police mobile.

Lawyer Dino de Leon, who was among the forum’s guests, became Lustre’s counsel.

“It is not the usual course of things na hindi ka mabigyan ng right to respond. Baka pina-subpoena siya, hindi niya nakita kung na-subpoena ba talaga siya,” de Leon said.

“I just want to put on record though na batay sa kanya, wala siyang alam na kahit na anong kasong nag-e-exist at ang unang-unang niyang nakita ay warrant of arrest na,” he explained.

The lawyer also lamented the plight of journalists, saying the arrest is alarming.

“This may send a chilling effect to members of the media,” he said.

Police Lieutenant Colonel Aljun Belista, station commander of Kamuning Police Station, said they received information about an active warrant against Lustre and verified its validity with the court before implementing the arrest.

“Nakatanggap po kami ng information then yung information na yung may active na warrant siya so tinanong namin sa court at nung nalaman namin na valid siya, inimplement namin yung warrant,” Belista said.

Belista said the warrant cited an alleged violation of Section 4 of the Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012.

Lustre was brought to Quezon City Police Station 10 where he underwent booking procedures. He will remain in police custody pending the posting of bail, which was set at P48,000.

De Leon is working to post bail through night courts, but raised difficulty due to requirements such as a certified copy of information which would be obtained in Davao City.

Lustre is the author of the book “Kill, Kill, Kill,” which tackles extrajudicial killings in the country and the alleged crimes against humanity of former President Rodrigo Duterte.