‘Pepe-dede’ blogger Drew Olivar under probe for EDSA ‘bomb scare’

MANILA, Philippines — Police will conduct an investigation to determine the violations of blogger Drew Olivar, who allegedly posted a bomb scare on Facebook during the 46th anniversary of the declaration of martial law.  

National Capital Region Police Office Director Chief Supt. Guillermo Eleazar said his office would initiate an investigation of Olivar, stressing that what the blogger did was wrong. 

Oliver was earlier involved in the controversial posts of Presidential Communications Operations Office assistant secretary Mocha Uson, where the two of them tried to promote federalism through a sexually suggestive song-and-dance routine that started with the words, “i-pepe, i-dede.”

The two also drew flak for another post making fun of deaf people.

Eleazar said Olivar’s post is untimely, citing recent bomb threats in some colleges and universities in Manila that sowed fear among students and residents in nearby areas. 

“No bomb threats or any other terror threats in Metro Manila, especially on EDSA,” he said. 

Under Presidential Decree No. 1727 or the “Anti-Bomb Joke Law,” violators will be imprisoned for a maximum of five years or be fined up to P40,000.  

Olivar drew flak online anew due to his Facebook post, stating that some reports indicate that a bombing similar to Plaza Miranda in 1971 might happen on the 46th anniversary of the declaration of martial law.

“Ay nakakatakot naman mag-rally sa EDSA, kasi may kumakalat na baka maulit daw yung pagbomba kagaya ng Plaza Miranda! Kung ako sa inyo, hindi na ako pupunta (Joining a rally on EDSA is scary because  reports are spreading that the bombing of Plaza Miranda might happen again. If I were you, I would not go),” Olivar said. 

Olivar’s post did not sit well with some netizens and the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) who saw it as a form of psychological terrorism.