LAWYER CHARGED WITH 11 COUNTS OF CYBER LIBEL CASES

August 26, 2023 Community Billboard

BAGUIO CITY

On July 31, 2023, the Baguio City Prosecutor’s Office charged Atty. Francis Rae Camtugan II with 11 counts of Cyber Libel under the attached Information which then to be filed in Court, with a
recommended bail of Ten Thousand Pesos (PhP10,000.00) for each charge of Information. The case stemmed from series of defamatory posts on Facebook in 2022 by Camtugan labeled against the complainant, a certain “Jennylyn” wherein probable cause that a crime of cyber libel was committed in the posts.

In the disquisition of the case, the prosecutor found that the post under paragraph “m” made on July 24, 2022, there is nothing defamatory in the post; it merely gives a general information/guide to those intending to enter into subdivision or condominium transactions. As to the post under paragraph “n” made on August 7, 2022, there is no particular or identifiable person defamed in the post. As to the posts under paragraph “p” made on August 18, 2022, it is clear that the person being defamed – called “puta” and alluded to be a scammer – is the person whose photograph attached/shared in the post – who is the complainant Jennylyn; hence, cyber libel is found committed.

However, on the subsequent post under paragraph “q”, there is no crime og libel committed because it does not name any person therein. In summary, there is probable cause that the crime
of cyber libel was committed in the posts under the paragraphs “a”, “b”, “c”, “d”, “e”, “i”, “j”, “k”, “l”, “o” and “p” in the disquisition. In regard to the ownership of the Facebook account with the name “Reii Camtugan” and “Gronn Drage” who posted the above complained posts, there is sufficient evidence submitted by Jennylyn linking said Facebook account/names to Atty. Camtugan.

Atty. Jeffrey G. Mendoza has asserted knowing respondent using the names “Reii Ragnar Camtugan” and “Reii Camtugan” in the latter’s Facebook account. As to name “Gronn Drage” the
photographs and birthday greetings under said Facebook name establishes strong belief that respondent owns said Facebook account/name. With these, it is believed that it was respondent who posted the complained libelous posts; hence he should be made liable thereof. The defenses raised by Atty. Camtugan and his claim of truth on the business of complainant, as can be read on
the narrative on the Counter Affidavit and Supplemental Counter-Affidavit, are matters better threshed out in a full blown hearing.

The order was signed by Atty. Marlon S. Corpuz, Acting City Prosecutor of Baguio City. On a separate 2 cases of cyber libel filed by same complainant to the same respondent, Judge Ivan Kim
Morales, presiding judge of Baguio City Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 59 put to archive the two cyber libel cases due to alleged failed payment of corresponding filing fees on the civil aspect of the said cases by the complainant. In a 2-page order, it said, that considering Section 1, Rule 3 of the Rules of Court’s clear wordings, and of the private complainant’s (Casa Infini) manifestation that said necessary filing fees shall be paid for the said cases, the court suspended the proceedings in the said case and hereby archived the same until such time that the prescribed filing fee is paid.
Lito Camero with reports of

Carlos Meneses/ABN