Dude, what were you thinking?
A history teacher from Zambales was arrested today in Dagupan City by the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) after he offered a PHP50 million (US$993,900) reward to anyone who could kill President Rodrigo Duterte.
You read that right.
Using the handle @RonPrince_, Ronnel Mas posted this message on Twitter on May 5, “I will give [a] P50M reward to anyone who can kill Duterte.” Mas also added this hashtag to his post: #NoToABSCBNShutDown.
The tweet no longer appears on Mas’ account, but the NBI’s Dagupan office nabbed the public school teacher. In a video message posted by the authorities, Mas apologized to Duterte.
“That tweet was just my own thoughts but it was ignored. It was the wrong move,” he said.
In an interview with a news website, Mas said he just wanted to gain clout.
“I just want people to notice me. My mindset was, how come other people get a lot of retweets, but I get so little?” he said.
The wanna-be influencer will be charged with inciting to sedition, as well as violating Republic Act No. 6713, also known as the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees.
Read: Duterte says misogynistic remarks were his right, part of freedom of expression
The 1987 Philippine Constitution states that no law shall be passed that will curtail a citizen’s freedom to freely express himself. The Supreme Court said that only in situations where “a danger that is clear and present” will the curtailment of free speech be allowed.
Duterte has said that his propensity to spew misogynistic remarks is protected by the constitution.
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