Police nab suspects in vlogger’s slay

MANILA, Philippines — Two suspects in the murder of pro-Marcos vlogger Alicia Lipata, popularly known as Mima Alicia, were arrested in Mabalacat, Pampanga yesterday, the Philippine National Police announced.

PNP spokesman Col. Allen Rae Co identified the suspects only through their initials, MS and JA.

Co did not give other details about the arrest, as investigators continue to interrogate the suspects on the identity of the mastermind and the other people involved in the murder.

“There are others who were involved in planning, carrying out this killing,” Co said during a news briefing at Camp Crame.

He said operatives from the Northern Police District and Pampanga police arrested the suspects. Seized from them were two hand grenades, a .45-caliber handgun and a 9mm pistol, police said.

Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla earlier said the suspects belong to an organized crime group from the south.

Initial investigation showed that the people behind Lipata’s killing were monitoring her movements before she was gunned down in front of her house in Barangay 171 in Caloocan last week.

Her live-in partner was also wounded in the attack.

Police are looking at two motives: Lipata’s work as a vlogger and personal grudge.

Risa seeks NBI help vs threats

Meanwhile, Sen. Risa Hontiveros yesterday said she has reported to the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) hundreds of social media users who issued death threats against her.

The threats were reportedly received after the death of Lipata.

Hontiveros condemned what she described as a wave of pro-violence comments online.

“Instead of expressing sympathy, some celebrated a person’s death and even encouraged violence. Now, many are openly saying that I will be the next,” Hontiveros said.

She said her office is treating the threats seriously, adding that her staff has been deleting and reporting the comments on social media while compiling evidence for authorities.

“We have submitted to the NBI the names and screenshots of hundreds of Facebook users who threatened to kill me,” she added.

Hontiveros called on social media platforms and law enforcement agencies to act decisively against online threats and what she described as a growing culture of impunity.

“Threatening another person’s life should never become normal. No matter how deep our political differences are, there must be limits. We cannot allow this kind of hatred to cost another life,” Hontiveros said. – Mark Ernest Villeza