PNP serves search warrant vs pro-Duterte vlogger who claimed CIDG chief hospitalized

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'Dear Mr. Jun Abines, actions have consequences. You spread the news that I was hospitalized, causing worry and distress to my family and friends, CIDG chief Nicolas Torre III says in a Facebook post addressed to the vlogger

MANILA, Philippines – The Philippine National Police (PNP) served a search warrant against pro-Duterte vlogger Ernest Jun Abines on Saturday midnight, February 22, after he shared a post claiming that Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) chief Major General Nicolas Torre III was hospitalized.

“Dear Mr. Jun Abines, actions have consequences. You spread the news that I was hospitalized, causing worry and distress to my family and friends,” Torre wrote in a Facebook post on Saturday.

Abines’ post, which has since been removed from Facebook, surfaced just days after Torre said he had filed a sedition complaint against former president Rodrigo Duterte for unlawful utterances and inciting to sedition. This is in connection with his joke about killing 15 senators so all his Senate bets would win in the May 12 elections.

Abines is the lead convenor of Hakbang Maiusg-Cebu, and the warrant was served on the same day as the Cebu People’s Indignation Rally, a gathering in support of the Dutertes amid the impending impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte .

Abines said in a series of posts on Facebook past noon that police were “seizing” his home and phone and that he had “nothing to hide from the law.”

Addressing Abines in his social media post, the CIDG chief said, “I applied for a search warrant to seize the phones and computers you used for the nonsense you pulled on me.”

“And now you’re crying on social media? Actions have consequences, sir. And for your foolishness, the consequence for you now is getting a lawyer,” he added.

Torre was appointed CIDG chief in September 2024. Before this, he served as Davao Region police director, where he led operations against alleged human trafficker Apollo Quiboloy, a known ally of Duterte.

Earlier in February, the House of Representatives held a hearing on the spread of online disinformation. Several pro-Duterte vloggers were invited but declined to appear before the panel. – Rappler.com