House leaders praise CIDG chief for filing cyber libel complaint against vlogger Abines

House leaders on Sunday praised Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) Chief Gen. Nicolas Torre III for filing a cyber libel complaint against Cebu-based vlogger Ernesto 'Jun' Abines, who allegedly spread misinformation about Torre's hospitalization.

Abines is also under investigation for an alleged data breach and misinformation campaign linked to protest actions in Cebu, with police seizing his gadgets late Saturday following a search warrant request from the CIDG chief.

Lawmakers warned that fake news poses a serious threat by misleading people and undermining trust in democratic institutions, urging the public to verify facts before sharing information online.

The House Tri-committee is pushing for measures to impose penalties on those who spread false information, emphasizing the importance of truth in today's digital age.

Press freedom advocates have called for libel and cyber libel laws to be decriminalized, citing concerns about their potential misuse against criticism and dissent.