Police should probe online attack on Aika Robredo —Eleazar

Retired Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Guillermo Eleazar called on authorities Wednesday to probe the online smear campaign against Aika Robredo, the eldest daughter of presidential candidate Vice President Leni Robredo.

Eleazar, who is also running for senator in the 2022 May polls, said that beyond politics, no one should be victimized by cybercrime.

“Higit sa usapin ng pulitika, mahalagang maimbestigahan ang bagay na ito dahil pinatunayan lang nito na kahit sino ay pwedeng maging bigtima ng ganitong klaseng krimen,” Eleazar said in a statement.

(More than politics, the investigation on this issue is important because it proves anyone can fall victim to these kinds of crimes.)

“Tiwala ako na kayang maging apolitical ng ating kapulisan sa pag-iimbestiga ng kasong ito. The only thing that they have to do is to let the investigation take its course,” he said, adding that the individuals behind the smear campaign should be held accountable.

(I trust the police can be apolitical while investigating this case. The only thing that they have to do is to let the investigation take its course.)

On Monday, the Robredo camp vowed legal action against the perpetrators of the attack.

The Department of Justice's Office of Cybercrime, for its part, said it will go after those who are responsible and that it is eyeing to tap the National Bureau of Investigation for help.

The incumbent vice-president earlier accused the camp of rival former senator Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. as the ones behind the smear campaign. Marcos spokesperson Vic Rodriguez denied the allegation and accused her of deception. — Sundy Locus/BM, GMA News