2 weeks ago
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CEBU CITY — Agents of the National Bureau of Investigation in Central Visayas (NBI-7) filed criminal charges against a Facebook user who allegedly posted a fake quote card and defamatory content against Mandaue City Rep. Emmarie Ouano-Dizon.
The NBI-7 filed the complaint on April 10, 2025, against Redmon Colina, a resident of Barangay Centro, Mandaue City, for violating Republic Act 10175 or the Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012. Investigators charged Colina with computer-related forgery under Section 4(b)(1) and cyber libel under Section 4(c)(4) of the law.
The NBI-7 said Colina used his personal Facebook account under the name "Redmon Colina" to circulate a fake quote through the platform Mandaue Politics.
The post targeted Ouano-Dizon and included a manipulated quote that read: "Kung wala mo nalipay sa 20 million nga skywalk ayaw mo ug agi diha. Para ra na sa mga Mandauehanon nga kahibaw mo appreciate sa akong project (If you're not happy with the P20-million skywalk, then don't use it. That's only for Mandauehanons who know how to appreciate my project)."
The post, which appeared on March 13, used the official seal of the House of Representatives and Ouano-Dizon's photograph.
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Colina captioned the post with "Mao diay ni sakto nga tubag? Nangutana raman nganong ka mahal ana nga skywalk.. ingon anaon diay pag tubag? Mangaway diay? Natural mana naay mga pangutana... ka arrogante sad manulti oi... (So that's the right way to respond? The question was just why that skywalk is so expensive... and that's how you answer? You lash out? It's only natural for people to ask questions... what an arrogant way to speak).
Ouano-Dizon denied issuing the statement and said she did not give consent for its publication. She called the post malicious and libelous, claiming its intent was to deceive the public and damage her reputation.
Colina and his lawyer appeared before the NBI-7 during the investigation where he admitted that he owned the Facebook account and authored the post.
The NBI-7 said that the elements constituting cyber libel and computer-related forgery were present in the case.
The bureau also said the filing of the case supports the Department of Justice and NBI's push to investigate and prosecute online "fake news" to curb the spread of disinformation and protect the public from internet-related criminal activities.
On March 12, the newly constructed skywalk in Sitio Sudlon, Barangay Maguikay, Mandaue City officially opened to the public.
It replaced the previous structure that was demolished on March 29, 2023, after a refrigerated van crashed into it and damaged its main beam, compromising public safety. Ouano-Dizon's office allocated P20 million for the construction of the new skywalk.
