The Philippine National Police Anti-Cybercrime Group (PNP-ACG) has referred 276 online libel cases for prosecution and arrested 32 individuals in a nationwide crackdown on cyber-related offenses from January 1 to May 15, 2026.
The PNP-ACG said the operations were carried out by its Special Operating Units, along with regional, provincial, city, and district cyber response teams across the country.
The campaign targets violations of Section 4(c)(4) of Republic Act No. 10175, or the Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012, which penalizes libel committed through information and communication technology.
Under the law, online libel involves the public and malicious imputation of a crime, vice, defect, or any act or circumstance that may dishonor or discredit another person when committed through digital platforms.
The offense carries a penalty one degree higher than traditional libel under the Revised Penal Code.
PNP chief Police General Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. reminded the public to be responsible in using social media and other online platforms, saying digital communication also comes with accountability.
“Ang social media ay isang makapangyarihang instrumento ng komunikasyon, ngunit kaakibat nito ang pananagutan,” Nartatez said.
“The PNP will remain firm in enforcing the law habang tinitiyak natin na ang karapatan ng bawat isa ay nirerespeto,” he added.
The PNP said the sustained operations form part of its Focused Agenda through Enhanced Managing Police Operations and support the directive of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to strengthen law enforcement against cyber-enabled crimes and illegal online activities.
The ACG said similar operations would continue nationwide as part of its campaign to build safer online communities and promote what the police organization calls a “Bagong PNP para sa Bagong Pilipinas: Serbisyong Mabilis, Tapat at Nararamdaman.”