PCG spox slaps Sass Sasot with cyber libel suit
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PCG spox slaps Sass Sasot with cyber libel suit
Philippine Coast Guard spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea Commodore Jay Tarriela files a cyber libel complaint against social media personality Sass Sasot over alleged defamatory posts. Tarriela claims Sasot falsely insinuated in several posts on Facebook and X between July and October 2024 that he was involved in bribery, corruption, dishonesty, and misconduct. He accuses Sasot of violating Section 6 of Republic Act No. 10175 or the Cybercrime Prevention Act. Michael Delizo, ABS-CBN News
Philippine Coast Guard spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea Commodore Jay Tarriela files a cyber libel complaint against social media personality Sass Sasot over alleged defamatory posts. Tarriela claims Sasot falsely insinuated in several posts on Facebook and X between July and October 2024 that he was involved in bribery, corruption, dishonesty, and misconduct. He accuses Sasot of violating Section 6 of Republic Act No. 10175 or the Cybercrime Prevention Act. Michael Delizo, ABS-CBN NewsMANILA — A Philippine Coast Guard official on Friday filed a cyber libel complaint against social media user Sass Rogando Sasot — Allan Troy Rogando Sasot — over allegedly defamatory posts that the vocal government critic made against him.
MANILA — A Philippine Coast Guard official on Friday filed a cyber libel complaint against social media user Sass Rogando Sasot — Allan Troy Rogando Sasot — over allegedly defamatory posts that the vocal government critic made against him.
Commodore Jay Tarriela, PCG spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea, filed his 21-page before the Manila City Prosecutor’s Office, accusing Sasot of violating Section 6 of Republic Act No. 10175, or the Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012.
Commodore Jay Tarriela, PCG spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea, filed his 21-page before the Manila City Prosecutor’s Office, accusing Sasot of violating Section 6 of Republic Act No. 10175, or the Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012.
Tarriela was accompanied by non-profit group Movement Against Disinformation.
Tarriela was accompanied by non-profit group Movement Against Disinformation.
Tarriela said he does not believe he is being onion-skinned, or easily offended, in filing the complaint.
Tarriela said he does not believe he is being onion-skinned, or easily offended, in filing the complaint.
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“Para sa akin, there are limits to our constitutional right of freedom and freedom of expression. Kung magsasalita ka ng bagay na wala ka namang basehan, and it will also damage my reputation, para sa akin, you need to be held accountable sa mga ginagawa mo na ito kasi it also damages my credibility as a spokesperson,” he said.
“Para sa akin, there are limits to our constitutional right of freedom and freedom of expression. Kung magsasalita ka ng bagay na wala ka namang basehan, and it will also damage my reputation, para sa akin, you need to be held accountable sa mga ginagawa mo na ito kasi it also damages my credibility as a spokesperson,” he said.
(If you say something against me without basis and it will damage my reputation, you need to be held accountable because it also damages my credibility as a spokesperson)
(If you say something against me without basis and it will damage my reputation, you need to be held accountable because it also damages my credibility as a spokesperson)
Freedom of expression and press freedom advocates have long called for the decriminalization of libel for being outdated and incompatible with democratic values. They have pointed out that libel and cyber libel is frequently used to silence journalists, members of civil society, and government critics.
Freedom of expression and press freedom advocates have long called for the decriminalization of libel for being outdated and incompatible with democratic values. They have pointed out that libel and cyber libel is frequently used to silence journalists, members of civil society, and government critics.
WHAT SASOT POSTED
Tarriela said Sasot falsely insinuated in several posts on social media platforms Facebook and X between July and October 2024 that he was involved in bribery, corruption, dishonesty, and misconduct.
Tarriela said Sasot falsely insinuated in several posts on social media platforms Facebook and X between July and October 2024 that he was involved in bribery, corruption, dishonesty, and misconduct.
Among the accusations were claims that Tarriela received $4 million from the United States government as a talent fee; that he is part of an alleged operation called “Project Atlantis” with the US; and that he accepted three black bags from House Speaker Martin Romualdez.
Among the accusations were claims that Tarriela received $4 million from the United States government as a talent fee; that he is part of an alleged operation called “Project Atlantis” with the US; and that he accepted three black bags from House Speaker Martin Romualdez.
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Tarriela denied these claims.
Tarriela denied these claims.
“Para sa akin, these are information na pinost niya sa social media that needs to be refuted. Otherwise, people who follow him or believe or whatever he tweets or posts sa Facebook, tatanggapin na lang nila na ito na as a (they will just accept is as) gospel truth," he said.
“Para sa akin, these are information na pinost niya sa social media that needs to be refuted. Otherwise, people who follow him or believe or whatever he tweets or posts sa Facebook, tatanggapin na lang nila na ito na as a (they will just accept is as) gospel truth," he said.
He said challenging Sasot to produce evidence of her allegations in court "is the proper venue" to do that.
He said challenging Sasot to produce evidence of her allegations in court "is the proper venue" to do that.
Tarriela also said in his complaint that Sasos had maliciously accused him of owning an expensive watch beyond his means and had said he had been expelled from the Philippine Military Academy for cheating.
Tarriela also said in his complaint that Sasos had maliciously accused him of owning an expensive watch beyond his means and had said he had been expelled from the Philippine Military Academy for cheating.
Tony La Viña, MAD lead convenor, said the organization supports Tarriela’s legal action, saying it opposes disinformation, “particularly when it’s very dangerous, like the national interest is involved—as it is in the West Philippine Sea."
Tony La Viña, MAD lead convenor, said the organization supports Tarriela’s legal action, saying it opposes disinformation, “particularly when it’s very dangerous, like the national interest is involved—as it is in the West Philippine Sea."
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La Viña is also Tarriela's counsel in the case.
La Viña is also Tarriela's counsel in the case.
Tarriela urged the Prosecutor’s Office to hold Sasot accountable for her “malicious imputation of crimes, vices, or defects” and sought P1.25 million in damages.
Tarriela urged the Prosecutor’s Office to hold Sasot accountable for her “malicious imputation of crimes, vices, or defects” and sought P1.25 million in damages.
In a brief email to ABS-CBN News, Sasot recognized Tarriela’s legal right to file a case, adding however that she is not in the Philippines to receive and respond to the complaint.
In a brief email to ABS-CBN News, Sasot recognized Tarriela’s legal right to file a case, adding however that she is not in the Philippines to receive and respond to the complaint.
“His legal complaint must be legally served in order for me to answer it legally. I will wait where I live, which is outside the Philippines, to receive it legally and thereby answer it legally,” she said.
“His legal complaint must be legally served in order for me to answer it legally. I will wait where I live, which is outside the Philippines, to receive it legally and thereby answer it legally,” she said.
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