Operatives of the Quezon City Police District (QCPD) arrested defeated vice-presidential candidate Walden Bello at his home on Monday afternoon for two counts of cyber libel.
The 76-year-old Laban ng Masa chairperson was brought to the QCPD Station 8 along P. Tuazon Avenue in Project 4, Quezon City, his spokesperson Leomar Doctolero confirmed.
A police official said Bello would be transferred to Camp Karingal, the headquarters of the QCPD, for booking and medical examination.
“We have been anticipating the arrest warrant because of the indictment by the Davao Prosecutor. It’s a bailable offense and counsel is on the way to assist him,” Doctolero said.
“The resolution for his indictment was released last 9 June. We filed for a motion for reconsideration with the prosecutors’ office which was subsequently denied.”
Bello’s running mate in the May 2022 elections, Leody de Guzman, was said to be headed to the QCPD Station 8 at press time to show support for Bello.
The case against Bello was filed by Jefry Tupas, the former information officer of Vice President Sara Z. Duterte, seeking P10 million in damages for her after Bello allegedly accused her to be a drug dealer and addict on social media.
A seven-page resolution indicted Bello for violation of the Revised Penal Code and the Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012.
Davao City Regional Trial Court Branch 10 Judge Retrina Espe Fuentes issued the arrest warrant against Bello.