TAGBILARAN CITY, Bohol – A Facebook member accused of online libel was arrested by the police in Barangay Poblacion 3, Tagbilaran City, Bohol on August 14, 2023.

The suspect was identified as Mylene Marimon y Pilotos, 34, a resident of Barangay Ubayon, Loon, Bohol.

Marimon used to work in Hong Kong as a domestic helper until she decided to settle back in the country.

According to the report from the Bohol Police Provincial Office (BPPO), Marimon was the subject of a warrant of arrest issued by Judge Jorge Dote Cabalit of the Regional Trial Court Branch 48 in Tagbilaran City.

The warrant was issued on July 25, 2019 for the crime of online libel, docketed under Criminal Case No. 22318, in relation to a cyberlibel case filed by the head of Office of the Provincial Agriculture, Liza M. Quirog.

The court set a bail bond of Php60,000 for Marimon’s temporary liberty.

The arrest was carried out by personnel of the Tagbilaran City Police Station (TCPS) led by Captain Agosto Cesario Sumaylo, under the supervision of Lieutenant Colonel Homobunor Sayon, chief of police.

They were assisted by members of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) Bohol Provincial Field Unit, Provincial Mobile Force Company (PMFC), Regional Intelligence Unit (RIU) 7 Bohol and Maritime Police Station (MARPSTA) 7 Bohol.

The report said that Marimon was informed of the reason of her arrest and her constitutional rights in a language known to her.

Marimon was also told that the arrest was video recorded using two body worn cameras in compliance with the Supreme Court Administrative Matter No. 21-06-08-SC.

The suspect was then brought to the CIDG Bohol office at Camp Francisco Dagohoy in Tagbilaran City for proper disposition and temporary detention.

The report did not mention the details of the online libel case against Marimon, but reports said she is closely associated with former DA Regional Director Atty. Salva Diputado and former Cabinet Secretary Leoncio “Toloy” Evasco Jr.

In 2019 Marimon was known to have actively spread fake news and false information against political rivals of Evasco.

Marimon also has close ties with a media personality in Bohol identified as Alan Mangmang.

Online libel is defined as a public and malicious imputation of a crime, or of a vice or defect, real or imaginary, or any act, omission, condition, status, or circumstance tending to cause the dishonor, discredit, or contempt of a natural or juridical person, or to blacken the memory of one who is dead, committed through a computer system or any other similar means which may be devised in the future.

Online libel is punishable by imprisonment from six months and one day to six years and a fine ranging from Php 40,000 to Php 1.2 million under Republic Act No. 10175 or the Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012.