The Philippine National Police Anti-Cybercrime Group (PNP-ACG) has referred 276 online libel cases for prosecution and arrested 32 individuals in separate operations nationwide from January 1 to May 15, 2026.
The PNP-ACG said the operations were carried out by its Special Operating Units, Regional Anti-Cybercrime Units, Provincial and City Cyber Response Teams, and District Anti-Cybercrime Teams across the country.
The arrested individuals are facing complaints for alleged violation 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 is based on the definition of libel under Article 355 of the Revised Penal Code, which refers to a public and malicious imputation that may dishonor, discredit, or bring contempt upon a person.
When committed through digital platforms or other forms of information and communication technology, libel is treated as a cybercrime offense and carries a penalty one degree higher than ordinary libel.
PNP-ACG Director Police Major Gen. Wilson Asueta commended the group’s personnel for the operations, saying the accomplishments reflect the unit’s continuing enforcement of cybercrime laws and its effort to hold online offenders accountable.
The campaign is in line with the directive of PNP chief Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. to strengthen operations against individuals and groups involved in cyber-related offenses.