NBI nabs vlogger over Marcos ‘headshot’ threat

MANILA, Philippines — A one-word Facebook post by a vlogger criticizing President Marcos’ leadership led to his arrest by the National Bureau of Investigation on Monday.

The NBI Cybercrime Division apprehended Mike Romero in Pagadian City, Zamboanga del Sur after posting Marcos’ photograph in earthquake-hit Bogo City with the word “Bogo” encircled, a red arrow pointed at him and a caption that reads, “Headshot.”

“Among shooters and law enforcement agencies, headshot means you will be shot in the head,” NBI Director Jaime Santiago told reporters yesterday.

Santiago said the matter should be taken seriously because it involves the “life of one of the country’s top officials.”

“Any attempt on the life of the president or vice president, we enter into the picture, it being the primary jurisdiction of the NBI,” Santiago said.

In February, the NBI filed charges of sedition and grave threat against Vice President Sara Duterte before the Department of Justice over her assassination remarks against Marcos in November 2024.

Romero will face the same charges, according to Santiago.

Romero insisted that the Facebook post was only a “commentary” meant to criticize the President’s leadership.

“It’s not about being shot in the head,” Romero said. “I know what’s right or wrong.”

Romero has changed the post’s caption to “Tama talaga ang city hall (the city hall is right).”

He said he does not own a gun and has not been a member of any law enforcement agency.

Santiago said the constitutional right of freedom of expression has parameters.

“If you cross the line, you need to be emptied out,” the NBI chief said.