Man Faces Fake News Charge for Sharing Video of Traffic Incident involving Vice President Sara Duterte
A man in the Philippines is currently facing legal charges for allegedly sharing a viral video that depicted police officers stopping traffic on Commonwealth Avenue, supposedly for Vice President Sara Duterte. Janus Munar, the individual accused of uploading the video, has been charged with violating an obscure law on fake news. The Complaint was filed by the Quezon City Police District (QCPD), citing Article 154 of the Revised Penal Code (RPC) and Republic Act No. 7610, which is related to the Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012.
Janus Munar’s lawyer, Jose Manuel Chel Diokno of the Free Legal Assistance Group, noted that Article 154 of the RPC, which addresses the unlawful use of means of publication and unlawful utterances, is seldom utilized. According to Diokno, there have been no cases related to this particular law that have reached the Supreme Court. It is worth noting that the Rodrigo Duterte administration has previously employed the same law to summon more than a dozen people over critical social media posts regarding the government’s handling of the coronavirus pandemic.
In a letter sent to the QCPD on October 12, Diokno clarified that Munar had merely shared the video and was not responsible for uploading it, contrary to the police’s claim. Diokno emphasized that Munar has no connection or affiliation with the person who recorded the video and does not possess any information about their identity.
While Munar has yet to receive a subpoena or a copy of the Complaint, he has expressed concerns that an arrest warrant may be issued on the mistaken assumption that he waived his right to participate in the preliminary investigation. Diokno assured that Munar fully intends to participate in the preliminary investigation by submitting a counter-affidavit upon receipt of the subpoena and complaint against him.
Munar’s name and identification as a staunch critic of the Vice President were made public by Police Lieutenant Colonel May Genio in an October 6 radio interview. Diokno condemned this act, stating that it was uncalled for and recklessly endangered Munar’s personal security. Since then, Munar has reportedly received threats both online and in person, including unidentified individuals visiting his workplace.
Vice President Sara Duterte has denied any involvement in the traffic disruption incident, asserting that she was in Mindanao at the time. The QCPD issued an apology for the inconvenience caused by the traffic closure and attributed it to confusion and a lapse in judgment on the part of the police officers involved.
This recent development occurred amidst a war of words between the Duterte family and their critics. Paolo Duterte, the representative for Davao City’s 1st District, responded to a complaint filed against his father, former President Duterte, by ACT Teachers Representative France Castro. Duterte advised Castro not to be onion-skinned in response to a public death threat made by his father after five government agencies, including the Department of Education and the Office of the Vice President, had their proposed confidential funds in the 2024 budget stripped by the House of Representatives.
In summary, Janus Munar, a man in the Philippines, is facing legal charges for sharing a video purportedly showing police officers stopping traffic for Vice President Sara Duterte. While Munar’s lawyer emphasizes that his client only shared the video and did not upload it, the complaint filed against him cites an obscure law on fake news. This case highlights the ongoing tension between the Duterte family and their critics, as well as the potential risks individuals face for expressing their views online.
