‘Pepe-dede’ blogger faces raps over bomb joke

MANILA, Philippines — Blogger Drew Olivar will face charges for spreading a bomb threat on social media to scare participants in the mass action that commemorated the 46th anniversary of the declaration of martial law last Friday, an official of the Philippine National Police (PNP) disclosed yesterday.

PNP chief Director General Oscar Albayalde said Olivar will be facing charges for violating Presidential Decree 1727 or the Anti-Bomb Joke Law.

Under the PD 1727, anyone who makes a bomb joke may be fined P40,000 and spend five years in jail.

“I think Drew Olivar has learned his lesson and he will be charged for violation of PD 1727 or the (Anti-Bomb Joke Law). Hindi lang siya ma-arrest (he can’t be arrested) during that time because nangyari medyo matagal na (it happened earlier) but he will be formally charged for violation of 1727,” Albayalde told reporters during a press briefing at Camp Crame, Quezon City.

In a Facebook post on Sept. 21, Olivar said he was scared to participate in the protest rally on EDSA as rumors had it that there would be a repeat of the Plaza Miranda bombing.

“Ayyy, nakakatakot naman magrally sa EDSA, kasi may kumakalat na baka maulit daw yung pagbomba kagaya ng Plaza Miranda!! Kung ako sa inyo hindi ako pupunta (It’s scary to go to the rally at EDSA, there are rumors that the bombing similar to Plaza Miranda will be repeated. If I were you I will not attend),” Olivar posted.

National Capital Regional Police Office (NCRPO) chief Director Guillermo Eleazar said the information that Olivar posted was false.

Olivar was apparently referring to the Aug. 21, 1971, bombing at Plaza Miranda in Quiapo, Manila, during a political campaign rally of the Liberal Party. Nine people were killed and 95 others were injured, including several prominent LP front-runners in that year’s elections.

On Saturday, Olivar apologized for his act and maintained that it was not his intention to scare the public and spread fake information.

 He was accompanied by presidential communications assistant secretary Mocha Uson when he appeared at a press conference at the NCRPO headquarters in Taguig. –  With Robertzon Ramirez