NBI: Arrested netizen may turn state witness in video upload case
By Vann Marlo M. Villegas, Reporter
THE National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) said the man arrested for being the owner of the website which shared the “Bikoy” videos may be considered as state witness, as the bureau verifies the identity of the uploader of the videos.
“That’s very possible. That’s why if you look at the strategy of the NBI, we have to file a case against him. Because later on if we intend to consider him as a state witness, he should be charged first,” NBI Deputy Director Ferdinand M. Lavin said in a press conference.
“Kung mapatunayan namin na hanggang doon lang siya sa paggawa ng (If we could prove that his involvement is only limited to the creation of the) website, then upon due application with the DoJ (Department of Justice) at kinonsider ito ng (and it is being considered by) DoJ, we could qualify him as state witness,” he added.
On May 2, Justice Secretary Menardo I. Guevarra said Rodel Jayme was arrested by the NBI Cybercrime Division on April 30 after finding that he was the owner of the domain of the website Metro Balita which shared the “Ang Totoong Narcolist” (The Real Narcolist) videos linking members of the First Family to the illegal drugs activities.
The NBI has recommended to the DoJ that Mr. Jayme be charged with inciting to sedition in relation to Sec. 6 of the Cybercrime Prevention Act.
The complaint against him was submitted for resolution yesterday after inquest proceedings.
For his part, Mr. Jayme said he is willing to turn state witness, claiming that he was not the one who shared the videos on the website as he just created it and others had access to it.
“Opo handa po ako kasi po alam ko nga po…wala po akong direct alam at kaya ko pong ituro kung sino man po yung nagpagawa. Gaya nga po ng sabi ko, nakikipagtulungan po ako sa NBI patungkol po dito sa kasong it,” he said.
(Yes. I am ready because I know that I do not have direct knowledge [on the videos] and I can point at the one who asked me to create the website. Like what I said, I am cooperating with the NBI regarding this case.)
