NABBED. Public school teacher Ronnel Mas, 25, at the National Bureau of Investigation in Manila following his arrest on May 12, 2020. Mas allegedly offered a PHP50-million reward via Twitter to whoever can kill President Rodrigo Duterte. (Photo courtesy of Allan Sison)
DAGUPAN CITY – National Bureau of Investigation-Dagupan District Office (DADO) operatives arrested a 25-year-old public school teacher for allegedly offering PHP50-million reward through Twitter to whoever can kill President Rodrigo Duterte.
In an interview Tuesday, NBI-DADO chief Rizaldy Jaymalin said the teacher Ronnel Mas, of Barangay Poblacion North Sta. Cruz, Zambales, was nabbed after an interprovincial search between Zambales and Pangasinan.
“It was on May 11 when NBI director Eric Distor instructed the agency to search for the suspect,” Jaymalin said.
However, Mas deactivated his Twitter account, prompting the NBI agents to triangulate and investigate until they eventually identified him through his interactions online.
From his mother’s place in Pangasinan, he was eventually traced to his residence in Zambales, Jaymalin said.
Mas did not initially admit owning the Twitter account that posted about the reward, saying he was a “victim of identity theft”, and that someone allegedly made a fake Twitter account using his name.
Jaymalin asked for his phone to validate his claim.
“He presented us with a severely damaged iPhone 8 apparently to conceal evidence which may incriminate him. He eventually broke down and admitted to the deed,” he added.
Despite his public apology, the NBI is set to file cases against him.
Mas will be charged with inciting to sedition in relation to cybercrime, and violation of Republic Act 6713, or ethical standards of public officials.
Jaymalin warned netizens to avoid posting similar content.
“Freedom of speech and expression is not absolute, it has limits, especially when you are inciting people to commit horrific deeds,” Jaymalin said. (PNA)
