Court orders arrest of ex-radioman in Bukidnon for cyberlibel

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY — A former radio personality is refusing to back down after a Bukidnon court ordered his arrest for cyber libel, claiming the charges are direct retaliation for his outspoken advocacy.

Rodel Claro, who currently works as a senior publishing and marketing consultant for a US-based company, is facing three criminal charges stemming from his fiery commentaries against a state university.

READ: Veteran journalist Lustre arrested in QC for cyber libel

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“At present, I’m working with my lawyer. I’ll leave it to my lawyer. I’m not afraid,” he told the Inquirer on Saturday.

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He added: “It even challenged me to stand up and fight when freedom of speech is curtailed. Silence is not an option.”

Regional Trial Court Branch 9 in Malaybalay City ordered his arrest on November 4, setting bail at P72,000 for alleged violations of the Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012.

Claro acknowledged that the warrant was issued after a heavy professional workload caused him to miss the deadline for responding to the initial subpoena.

He linked the legal action to his decision to publicly defend residents of Central Mindanao University (CMU) amid a contentious housing renovation dispute.

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“It all started when I took the stand on behalf of university residents … questioned and criticized the university admin and security director for the first time in history,” Claro explained.

He noted that he further drew the administration’s ire by siding with landless farmers in their claims against the university.

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To ensure transparency in serving the warrant, the Malaybalay court specifically reminded law enforcement officers to use body-worn cameras or alternative recording devices.

As of Saturday, Claro had yet to turn himself in to police custody as he coordinated his next moves with his legal counsel. /jpv