The Philippine National Police said on Monday that controversial blogger Drew Olivar will face charges for violating the country’s Anti-Bomb Joke Law.
PNP Director General Oscar Albayalde said Olivar will be charged for spreading false bomb threat information during the 46th anniversary of the martial law declaration.
“He wasn’t arrested immediately because he posted the joke quite some time ago, but he will be formally charged in court for violation of Presidential Decree 1727,” Albayalde told reporters on Monday.
PD 1727 forbids “malicious dissemination of false information or the willful making of any threat concerning bombs, explosives or any similar device or means of destruction and imposing penalties, therefore.”
Meanwhile, the Palace said it will let the country’s police forces to act on the matter.
“I will leave it to Generals Eleazar and Albayalde because they know their job. I have nothing but the highest respect for both of them,” said Presidential Spokesman Harry Roque in a press briefing Monday.
Last Friday, Olivar posted a video on Facebook warning of a possible bombing incident in the country as protesters staged rallies to commemorate the over four-decade anniversary of martial law.
He said the supposed blast might be similar to the Plaza Miranda bombing in Quiapo, Manila in 1971, adding that it would be scary to stage protests on EDSA. However, no such incident occurred.
In defending himself, Olivar argued that he had no intention of scaring any person or the Filipinos, but to remind people to take extra caution.
Eleazar added that the pro-Duterte blogger may also be held accountable under the “Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012” as the bomb scare was posted on social media.
An imprisonment of not more than five years or a maximum fine of P40,000 awaits Olivar if found guilty of the offense.