The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) has arrested a vlogger who posted a photo of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. with the caption “headshot,” a move that authorities considered a potential threat against the country’s chief executive.
According to a report by GMA News Online, NBI Director Jaime Santiago confirmed that the arrest took place on October 7. The agency presented a screenshot of the Facebook post, which showed a red line drawn toward the President’s head along with the controversial caption.
“Alam niyo ano mang threat, tangka sa buhay ng Pangulo, Pangalawang Pangulo, Senate President, Speaker of the House, Chief Justice, ay primary jurisdiction ng NBI,” Santiago said during a press briefing.
He explained that the phrase “headshot” is commonly understood among law enforcement agencies as a term referring to shooting someone in the head, which prompted the bureau to take the post seriously.
“Sa mga law enforcement agency, kapag sinabing ihe-headshot ka ay babarilin ka sa ulo. Kaya ‘yun. Nagpapahiwatig siya ng ganoon. Kaya sineryoso namin ‘yung bagay na ‘yun,” Santiago added.
The suspect, however, told investigators that the post was merely a joke. The caption was later edited to read “Tama Talaga Ang City Hall,” and the vlogger claimed in a comment that the earlier caption “was wrong.”
Santiago reminded the public that while freedom of speech and expression are protected rights, they are not without limits.
“Inuulit ko sa inyo, meron tayong karapatan, mag-comment. Freedom of speech, kasama ‘yan, freedom of expression. Pero ‘yung magtatangka ka na sa buhay ng Presidente, Vice President, Senate President, Speaker of the House, and the Chief Justice ay papasok ang NBI,” he said.
