Sigma mayor denies ‘harassment’ in cyber libel case vs. broadcaster

By Felipe V. Celino

ROXAS CITY, Capiz — Mayor Dante Rizal Eslabon of Sigma, Capiz denied allegations of harassment in connection with the filing of four counts of cyber libel against India Obera-Lavapiez, also known as “Mamang India” of Baskog Radyo-Roxas.

He said it was his right to file a case, just as Lavapiez had exercised her right by posting bail for her temporary liberty after a warrant of arrest was served by police.

He said he was grateful that a warrant of arrest was issued against Lavapiez so that she could answer for what she had allegedly stated against him on her radio broadcast in the proper forum.

“Seguro indi man pwede nga padayon nga samaron kag bastuson ang pangalan ko bilang amay sang Sigma. Gani hulaton na lang niya kung ano ang mangin resulta kag desisyon sang korte,” the mayor said, adding that the prosecutor and the court will decide if there was a basis for the complaint.

“Ekspektaron nila ang mas madamo pa nga Warrant of Arrest nga maga-abot sa ila,” he said.

Eslabon denied that he had direct command over the police in serving the arrest order on Lavapiez.

He said the police treated her as a very important person because she was never handcuffed while the warrant was being served and while traveling from Roxas City to the Sigma police station for booking.

The investigating city prosecutor of Manila found prima facie evidence with reasonable certainty of conviction to indict Lavapiez for violation of Section 4(c), paragraph 4 of Republic Act 10175, or the Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012, for four counts based on her radio broadcast and Facebook Live sessions on March 17, April 1, April 2, and Sept. 3, 2025.

The Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012 penalizes cyber libel, which covers defamatory statements made through computer systems or other similar means, including social media and online broadcasts, carrying penalties one degree higher than those prescribed under the Revised Penal Code for traditional libel.

Lavapiez’s co-accused were dismissed for insufficiency of evidence.

Lavapiez was arrested by Sigma police on the strength of warrants of arrest based on Criminal Case Nos. R MNL 26 01260 and R MNL 26 01263 for four counts of cyber libel, with a recommended bail of PHP 10,000 per count, or PHP 40,000 total, for her temporary liberty.

The warrants were issued by Regional Trial Court Judge Shyrel Dolendo Tulabing of the National Capital Judicial Region, dated March 11, 2026.

She was released at around 9:35 p.m. on the same day after posting bail.