Newspaper columnist, radio broadcaster and former special envoy for public diplomacy to China Ramon “Mon” Tulfo was arrested for libel charges on Wednesday, Manila Police District (MPD) director Police Brigadier General Leo Francisco said.
Tulfo was arrested around 10:30 a.m. and brought to the office of the Special Mayor’s Reaction Team (SMART) at the Manila City Hall, Francisco said.
According to the MPD public information office (PIO), it was the SMART personnel who arrested Tulfo.
“Personnel…led by PMaj. Edward Samonte…under the supervision of PLtCol. Rosalino Ibay Jr…served the warrant of arrest of the above-named accused for Violation of…(the) Cybercrime Prevention Acts of 2012 (cyber libel) with criminal case no. R-MNL-19-00760-CR, issued by Hon. Maria Victoria A. Soriano-Villadolid, presiding judge of RTC Br 24, Manila,” the MPD stated.
The name of the complainant was not disclose, the MPD said.
The MPD also said Lean Cruz, counsel of the complainant, approached the MPD and sought assistance for Tulfo’s arrest.
Tulfo was informed of his Constitutional and charges against him but he opted to remain silent.
Tulfo previously faced other libel charges. In March 2020, he surrendered to authorities after two regional trial court judges ordered his arrest for libel.
In 2019, former justice secretary Vitaliano Aguirre II also accused Tulfo of defamation for alleging that the former received a cut from the “pastillas” bribery scheme at Manila’s airport.
“(The) accused is currently detained to this office, prior to the return of warrant to court of origin,” the MPD added.