Netizen who posted SWAT photos online could face cyber libel— Pasig City Police

The Pasig City Police is looking into filing a case against the netizen who posted photos of the Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) personnel on social media.

In Ian Cruz’s Thursday report on 24 Oras, the photos showed that the four armed SWAT members in tactical uniform were at a private event in Pasig City.

The photos were posted online with the caption, “Thank you Ninong (godfather) Colonel for the love and protection.”

A number of netizens re-shared the photos and accused the SWAT members of working a side job as security personnel for the soft launch of a networking company.

Police Lieutenant Colonel Norman dela Rosa, acting Pasig City Police chief, relieved the 4 men as part of an ongoing investigation, one which has so far revealed no wrongdoing on their part.

“Kung meron kaming mai-kaso sa nag-post which is possibly libel or cyber libel kasi nga naman yung pulis wala namang ginagawa which is nabigyan ng ibang kahulugan,” Dela Rosa said.

(If we file a complaint against the netizen, it would possibly be for libel or cyber libel because our policemen were doing nothing wrong, which the netizen gave another meaning.)

Meanwhile, the East Police District (EPD) said it is still investigating if the SWAT personnel violated any protocol.

“Sa pag aaral ko, wala naman silang nalabag na protocol kasi they were just in the area. ‘Yung pagpasok nila, they were just invited to be inside for picture taking,” EDP director P/Brigadier General Wilson Asueta said.

(Based on what I have seen, they did not violate any protocol since they were just in the area when they were invited to have a picture taken.)

Dela Rosa said the SWAT personnel were conducting a legitimate and routine patrol on the afternoon of June 22.

“In-invite sila for purely picture only kasi may event nga. So ‘yun pumayag ang ating SWAT team, being courteous and konting compassion sa ano, nagpa picture sila. and after that niyaya silang kumain which is nahiya naman sila hindi na lang nila pinagbigyan. Right after that, nag resume na sila ng patrolling nila,”said Dela Rosa.

(They were invited for purely photographs because there was an event. They agreed, being courteous and compassionate. After that, they were invited to have snacks but they turned down the offer. Right after that, they resumed their patrol.)

The Pasig City Police has requested the uploader to apologize for the caption that was posted online.

“Yung colonel na binabanggit parang ano lang nya yun eh, binanggit nya lang minsan may, parang ibinida nya lang, ipinantakot nya lang kasi may rival company yan eh,” Dela Rosa said.

(The colonel that was mentioned seems to be just for bragging rights, it was used in the caption to fool around with a rival company.)

“We will invite that woman for further elicitation of her statement,” he added.

GMA Integrated News has sought comments from the uploader who said she is not ready for an interview and is still consulting with her lawyer.

The EPD released a directive that personnel of the Philippine National Police are prohibited from moonlighting such as security detail.

"When I first saw this, may nag-report sa akin niyan. I immediately wrote a letter addressed to [PNP Chief Rommel] Marbil to have this issue investigated. 'Di tayo papayag sa kung mayroon mang 'di tamang gawain no? Sanctions will be done,” said Interior Secretary Benhur Abalos Jr.

(“When I first saw this, someone reported it to me, I immediately wrote a letter addressed to PNP Chief Marbil to have this issue investigated. We will not allow it if there are any wrongdoings. Sanctions will be done.) —Mariel Celine Serquiña/RF, GMA Integrated News