'Bikoy' posts bail over cyber liber case

MANILA, Philippines — The man claiming to be “Bikoy” in the videos that linked the Duterte administration to illegal drug trade has posted bail in connection with the cyber libel case filed against him.

Peter Joemel Advincula posted a P10,000-bail at the Regional Trial Court of Quezon City for his provisional liberty.

Judge Jose Paneda of RTC Branch 20 approved the release order at around 2 p.m., Advincula’s lawyer, Lorenzo Gadon, told reporters.

Reports said Advincula left the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group detention facility at 3:20 p.m.

Advincula surrendered to the police on Monday following a warrant of arrest issued against him on charges of cyberlibel. The case stemmed from a complaint of Bicolano businessman Elizalde “Zaldy” Co after he was tagged in the viral “Ang Totoong Narco List” videos.

Co filed teh complaint after Advincula alleged in his video that the Misibis Bay Resort in Albay, which Co owns, is being used in the illegal drug trade. He is demanding P1 billion in damages. 

In mid-July, CIDG filed complaints of inciting to sedition, cyber libel, libel and obstruction of justice against Vice President Leni Robredo and 35 others, who are mostly members of the erstwhile ruling Liberal Party over the viral “Bikoy” videos. 

The complaint was filed before the Department of Justice with Advincula as one of the respondents.