NBI-7 files raps vs. 2 Cebuano bloggers

CEBU, Philippines — The National Bureau of Investigation-7 has filed charges for cyber libel and inciting to sedition before the Office of Cebu City Prosecutor against two Cebuano bloggers last April 25.

The two were Michael Deen Taboada Cano with Facebook account name "Deen Chase", of Villa Pacita Subdivision, Inayawan, Cebu City; and Efren Sotto Omayan, Jr. with Facebook account name "Dong Efren", of Felecitas Village, Plaridel, Looc, Mandaue City.

According to NBI-7, from April 2 to 19, 2025, Cebu Governor Gwendolyn Garcia received several alarming calls from Katrina Kaye Kowalik and Jude Michael Torres that Deen Chase and Dong Efren had been posting malicious statements against her.

Upon reviewing the alleged public posts, Garcia said the content was intended to subject her to disrepute, dishonor, and public contempt.

Cano allegedly had made at least 10 public Facebook posts on the following dates: April 2, 2025; April 5, 2025; April 7, 2025; April 9, 2025; April 11, 2025; April 12, 2025; April 14, 2025; April 17, 2025; April 18, 2025; and April 19, 2025.

While Omayan published another Facebook post on April 19, 2025.

“These libelous and seditious social media posts demonstrate Cano's blatant and reckless disregard for the rights of Governor Garcia, both as a private individual and as the Chief Executive Officer of the Province of Cebu,” said the NBI-7 in their press release released yesterday.

NBI-7 said that Cano publicly maligned the governor without any proof, which constitutes cyber libel.

They also said Cano’s posts against the governor are tantamount to inciting to sedition as penalized under Article 142 of the Revised Penal Code, as amended.

In compliance with the requirements of due process, Cano and Omayan were both invited by the NBI-CEVRO to appear at their respective addresses.

Omayan, accompanied by his wife, appeared and expressed willingness to cooperate with the investigation. However, when asked specific questions, he invoked his right against self-incrimination.

On the other hand, Cano failed to appear and didn’t send any representative on his behalf.

The complaints stemmed from Cano’s post on Facebook where he alleged the governor’s corruption issues including unexplained wealth, her children owning two airplanes, owning a yacht worth $10,000,000, taking 40% SOP per project, the closure of Apo Cement and a piggery businesses they want to take over, and demanding ?10 billion from Apo Cement, among others.

“Yes, you are free to criticize. But you are not free to spread false and reckless accusations against the governor,” said Atty. Alex Avisado Jr., senior partner at the Makati-based Gana, Atienza, Avisado Law Firm in a press conference last week.

After the press conference Cano, who is reportedly now based in California, posted in Facebook. Part of Cano’s statement said, “Gwendolyn Garcia hello lola...You dont scare me....This is the kind of Evil that Cebu is facing right now.. Just because we are raising questions and demanding transparency from her governance. She immediately does what she does best. Filing a case.. haha...”.

In their respective Facebook pages, Cano and Omayan expressed support for Cebu gubernatorial candidate Pamela Baricuatro. — (FREEMAN)