NBI identifies 'person of interest' in online death threats against senator

MANILA, Philippines — The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) has identified a "person of interest" behind the online death threats against Senator Risa Hontiveros. NBI Director Melvin Matibag confirmed this on Thursday, saying the bureau is already in the process of investigating the threats and had spoken with the senator’s chief of staff regarding the case. Hontiveros had earlier released a statement saying she herself had become a target of what she described as the “wave of death threats” and “pro-killing” remarks that circulated on social media following the recent killing of vlogger Alicia Lipata, mostly known as Mima Alicia. “There is a (person of interest). It is in the social media post itself. And we are submitting it to the Forensic Laboratory at the Cybercrime Division for proper disposition,” Matibag said in an ambush interview on Thursday. According to Matibag, the NBI will conduct a case buildup on the matter, noting that “after the case buildup, if we feel that it’s enough for us to file a case, we will file one with the DOJ (Department of Justice.)" The NBI director then pointed out that the cases of death threats nowadays are “very alarming” and have already become “a norm” on social media. “So we need to stop this. It's very alarming because even our high-ranking government officials receive death threats. That’s why I say that our national security will be under attack right now,” Matibag said. When asked about his warning to the individuals behind the circulation of death threats, the NBI director said, “As law enforcement, we will do our law. We will do our mandate. As to the law and order, if we need to go after you, we will go after you.” “But make no mistake that this will be political or personal. We will base our actions on evidence and according to the process and to the law,” said Matibag. /cb