MANILA - The Philippine National Police (PNP) announced Sunday it has arrested a journalist who was issued six warrants during an operation in Pasay City.

PNP Chief Gen. Rodolfo Azurin Jr. said Oswaldo Carbonell alias Waldy Carbonell, 79, who was also a political commentator, was nabbed after being served the warrant of arrest by the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) at the parking lot of a mall around 9:30 a.m.

Citing a report, Brig. Gen. Ronald Lee, CIDG director, said Carbonell was arrested on orders of Presiding Judge Bonhoefer Vergara Bernardez of the First Judicial Region, Regional Trial Court Branch 15 in Laoag City, Ilocos Norte.

The newsman was issued six separate warrants of arrest for Violation of Republic Act 10175 (Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012) dated Oct. 21, 2021 with PHP72,000 bail recommended for each case.

Upon arrest, Carbonell was apprised of his constitutional rights and the nature of his offense and was immediately brought to the CIDG Northern District Field Unit office for documentation and booking procedure.

The CIDG will duly inform the court of the successful implementation of the warrant of arrest, Azurin said.

"The PNP through Anti-Cybercrime Group (ACG), as the prime mover in investigating cybercrimes, has been dealing with cases involving online fraud, human trafficking, theft, hacking, cyberstalking, and other unlawful acts. Sisiguraduhin po ng iyong kapulisan na mananagot ang sinumang lumabag sa batas at haharapin ang kaukulang parusa ayon sa korte (Your police force will ensure that anyone who violates the law is held accountable and will face the appropriate penalty imposed by the court)," the PNP chief said in a statement.

Carbonell had previously said that the cyber libel complaints were filed against him by Piddig, Ilocos Norte Mayor Eduardo Guillen. No other details were available on the charges. (PNA)