Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, May 18)— Authorities arrested broadcaster Ramon “Mon” Tulfo Jr. on Wednesday, Manila Police District chief Leo Francisco said.
The arrest happened at past 10 a.m. inside the quadrangle of Manila City Hall, said the MPD in a report.
“The arrest of Mr. Tulfo stems from the complaint filed by former (Justice) Sec. (Vitaliano) Aguirre for several libelous columns published in Phil. Inquirer,” Atty. Lean Cruz, Aguirre’s counsel said.
“The case is for violation of RA 10175 otherwise known as Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012 before RTC-Manila Br. 24 while the corresponding libel cases under the Revised Penal Code is pending before RTC-Manila Br. 20. The court issued a bench warrant for the repeated failure of accused Tulfo to attend his arraignment,” Cruz added.
In an interview with the media, Tulfo said he failed to attend hearings on two cases.
“Yung isa, I was in China performing my job as a special envoy. Yung pangalawa, one way or the other di nakarating sa akin. Dalawa itong bench warrants. Lifted na yung isa, yung isa hindi pa. Siguro hopefully bukas,” he said.
[Translation: One, I was in China performing my job as a special envoy. For the second, one way or the other, it did not reach me. There are two bench warrants. One was already lifted, the other not yet. Perhaps tomorrow.]
In a message to CNN Philippines, Aguirre confirmed he filed the case against Tulfo. When asked what issue he sued the broadcaster for, Aguirre was not specific.
“The cases folders are not with me, I filed numerous libel and cyber libel cases against him,” he said.
Before the arrest, the MPD said Cruz approached them and sought assistance for Tulfo’s arrest.
The MPD said Tulfo was informed of his constitutional rights as well as the charges against him but he opted to remain silent.
“(The) accused is currently detained to this office, prior to the return of warrant to court of origin,” the MPD added.
Mon Tulfo is the brother of Senator-elect Raffy Tulfo.
