QCPD: Walden Bello arrested over cyber libel case

Former Vice Presidential candidate Walden Bello was arrested on Monday in connection with a cyber libel case a former Davao City officer filed, the Quezon City Police District (QCPD) has said.

Bello was apprehended at his residence in Quezon City around 5 p.m. through a warrant of arrest dated August 8, 2022 and issued by Davao City Regional Trial Court-Branch 10 Judge Espe Fuentes.

Bello is facing two counts of violation of RA 10175 or the Cyber Crime Prevention Act of 2012.

Former Davao City chief information officer Jefry Tupas filed the suit against Bello.

Bello’s executive assistant and Laban ng Masa (LnM) spokesperson Leomar Doctolero said Bello was brought to the QCPD's Station 8 in Project 4.

He was to be transferred to Camp Karingal on orders of QCPD Director Police Brigadier General Remus Medina.

“Walden will be transferred to Camp Caringal per the instruction of the District Director of QCPD, where he will be booked. They're currently waiting for his transfer papers,” Doctolero told reporters.

Bello's camp had been anticipating the arrest, Doctolero said, after the Davao City Prosecutor’s Office indicted Bello for the charges last month.

Doctolero said the resolution for Bello's indictment was released on June 9.

Bello filed a motion for reconsideration with the Prosecutors' Office but this was subsequently denied.

“We have been anticipating the arrest warrant because of the indictment of the Davao Prosecutor. It's a bailable offense and counsel is on the way to assist him,” Doctolero said.

Police said the bail set for each count of the case was P48,000.

Tupas in March filed cyber libel complaints against Bello after the then-vice presidential candidate accused the city official of being involved in illegal drugs after she was seen attending a beach party where agents of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency seized some P1.5 million worth of party drugs.

Tupas admitted to attending the event but said she left after eating and before the raid happened.

A day after, she tendered her resignation and was "terminated from work" by then Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte, now the Vice President. 

GMA News Online sought the Office of the Vice President's reaction to Bello's arrest.

"On the part of the Vice President, no comment. Thank you," OVP spokesman Reynold Munsayac said.

Former Presidential bet Leody de Guzman was on his way to Camp Karingal to show support for Bello.

De Guzman and Bello were running-mates during the 2022 Elections. — DVM/NB, GMA News