Critic of Lapu-Lapu mayor slapped with more cases

CEBU, Philippines —  The tattoo artist and staunch critic of Lapu-Lapu City Mayor Junard “Ahong” Chan is now facing additional five counts of cybercrime complaints after two more individuals have sought the court's intervention.

This brings a total of 10 counts of cybercrime cases under Republic Act 10175 also known as Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012 filed against Humphrey Elvira, the administrator of the Facebook page “Kamatuoran sa Opon.”

Last Friday, November 15, 2025, Canjulao Barangay Captain Rufo Bering, as well as the officer-in-charge of the IT Office in City Hall, Louie De los Santos lodged their complaints against Elvira.

In a phone interview, De los Santos told The Freeman that on November 14, 2023, Elvira posted on his page addressing him, and challenging him to a fight using bolos or “tigbasay.”

Elvira allegedly even posted a photo of De los Santos, which alarmed him and caused him to fear for his life.

“Wa siya kabalo nga it might cause harm napud sa akoa. Nabalaka kaayo kay especially pamilyado baya ko,” said De los Santos.

This prompted him to lodge a formal complaint and file one count of grave threat in relation to Section 6 of RA 10175.

Bering, for his part, filed two counts of cyber liber and another count of slander in relation to Section 6 of RA 10175.

Section 6 of RA 10175 states that all crimes committed through information and communications technologies are subject to penalties one degree higher than those provided under existing laws

This after Elvira once again allegedly “made malicious, defamatory and false statements against Bering” through a video posted on Facebook.

Bering shared that he has been repeatedly attacked by Elvira on social media, specifically regarding allegations that he profited from a sewage truck project in the barangay.

He defended himself, explaining that he had already clarified to Elvira that he was not yet the Captain when the truck was acquired.

However, Elvira has reportedly continued to bring up the accusations targeting him.

“Para nako mosamot man gud og gara og di siya file-an ba kay sige lang og balik balik na siya,” said Bering.

Bering hopes that Elvira will stop making reckless or baseless accusations.

“Ako ragud mensahe niya nga kanang freedom of speech, dili na siya absolute it has to have some limits so as to respect kaning mga dignity sa tao,” said Bering.

De los Santos also said that the case he filed hopefully teaches Elvira a lesson that there are boundaries in all situations.

“Kaning social media, free man jud ni siya. It gives us freedom of expression to post everything that we want pero ang kani akong pag file og kaso niya hopefully this will serve as a lesson nga naa juy limit ang tanan, de los Santos said.

Further, Mayor Chan filed an additional cyber libel complaint after his legal team discovered more false information posted by Elvira.

In a separate phone interview, Chan said that he accepts constructive criticism, but Elvira spreading false information to the public, especially to the Oponganons, is a different matter entirely.

Anybody can criticize me because I’m a public servant, I am not a perfect man. Kay kung sayop na nako I will amend, I need to correct and improve kung unsay maayo…But kung mo critic ka unya kay mugna-mugna lang ka just to attract the people for your political motive that’s a different story,” said Chan.

For Chan, the actions of Elvira are politically motivated as he has been instructed by the administration’s opponents to spread baseless accusations.

When asked if Elvira had reached out or tried to have a sit-down meeting with the mayor after the initial five complaints were filed on October 31, Chan said that, according to a common friend, Elvira was advised to meet and talk with him personally, but the tattoo artist chose not to.

The Freeman attempted to contact Elvira, but as of press time, he has not responded. (CEBU NEWS)