Senator Risa Hontiveros filed a complaint before the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) on Wednesday, July 2, seeking to identify those behind the video of Michael Maurillo, also known as “Rene,” who accused her of coercing witnesses to testify against Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KOJC) leader Apollo Quiboloy.
“Pangunahing layunin ng reklamo ay alamin sinu-sino ang nasa likod ng pag-produce ng video,” Hontiveros told journalists.
She said that up to now, no one has appeared and admitted being behind the production of the video.
In her complaint, Hontiveros sought the investigation of the YouTube and Facebook accounts of Pagtanggol Valiente who released the June 24 video of Maurillo.
Maurillo was one of the witnesses who appeared during the Senate hearings to testify against the alleged crimes of Quiboloy who is currently detained and faces charges that include qualified human trafficking.
Hontiveros said those behind the videos should be held liable for libel under Article 355 of the Revised Penal Code (RPC) in relation to Section 4(c)(4) of Republic Act (RA) 10175, the Cybercrime Prevention Act.
In her complaint, Hontiveros said: “In the video, Mr. Maurillo, using his real name and revealing his identity, falsely accused me of paying him One Million Pesos (P1,000,000) to allegedly fabricate testimony against Quiboloy, former President Rodrigo Duterte, and former Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte. Mr. Maurillo alleged that his original affidavit was altered by my staff to insert lies about sexual abuse and violence, and that he was offered additional money to implicate Senators Bong Go and Bato dela Rosa.”
Hontiveros also said that aside from libelous statements made against her, Maurillo also indiscriminately named members of her staff and identified other witnesses involved in the Senate investigation, and, thus, violating their right to privacy and recklessly endangering their safety.
At the same time, Hontiveros asked the NBI to investigate the vloggers who have been spreading and adding to the lies in the videos.
Hontiveros narrated that prior to the release of the videos, she received messages last June 22 and 23 from Maurillo who claimed he was kidnapped by the KOJC.
She said she relayed the information to the Philippine National Police (PNP), which has been asked to find Maurillo.
“Kung kinidnap talaga si Michael Maurillo at dahil doon ay nasa matinding panganib s’ya ngayon, all the more sana ay mapasakamay na s’ya ng PNP,” she added. (Jeffrey Damicog)
