Veteran journalist files cyber libel, data privacy complaints over alleged fabricated news report

VETERAN journalist Jefferson Gallos Tumbado has filed criminal complaints before the Olongapo City Prosecutor’s Office against the administrators of two online news Facebook pages over an allegedly false report identifying him as the suspect in a disturbance at the Laguna Provincial Capitol.

In a two-page Complaint-Affidavit filed on Thursday, October 22, Tumbado accused the administrators of “Balita Ngayon Online News” and “Newsroom Pilipinas” of cyber libel and violations of the Data Privacy Act of 2012.

Named in the complaints were Roy Tomandao and Arman Cambe, administrators of Balita Ngayon Online News, and Robert Maico, Noel Alamar and Kaye Balba, administrators of Newsroom Pilipinas. Crystal “Tala” Candaza was also named for allegedly recording and manipulating video footage of the incident without his consent.

The complaints stem from a January 23, 2026 article titled “Lalaki nag-amok sa Kapitolyo ng Laguna,” which circulated widely on Facebook and identified Tumbado as the alleged suspect in a confrontation at the provincial capitol.

Tumbado denied the allegations, saying the report misrepresented the incident by portraying him as an aggressor who threatened another individual with a baseball bat while omitting crucial details.

He maintained that no physical altercation occurred, that he did not chase or strike anyone, and that his actions did not constitute an “amok” incident.

According to his affidavit, Tumbado alleged that Maico initiated the confrontation by approaching him from behind, issuing verbal threats and acting in a manner that led him to fear a weapon might be drawn.

Tumbado said he retrieved a baseball bat solely for self-defense and did not threaten or assault anyone.

He further alleged that the video recorded by Candaza was selectively edited to distort the circumstances of the incident and reinforce what he described as a misleading narrative circulated by the Facebook pages.

Tumbado also questioned the article’s reference to a separate 2023 controversy involving the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB), describing it as an attempt to revive an unrelated issue and further damage his reputation.

He accused the respondents of failing to verify the allegations or seek his side before publication. He also argued that publishing his name, image and personal circumstances without his consent raised concerns over the unlawful processing of personal information and exposed him to public ridicule and potential security risks.

Through the complaints, Tumbado is seeking the filing of appropriate criminal charges for alleged cyber libel and data privacy violations, along with other legal remedies.

Separately, he submitted a letter of complaint to Laguna Governor Sol Aragones, through her administrator, Atty. Nathalie Irene Velasquez, seeking disciplinary action against the provincial government personnel concerned.

Tumbado identified the individuals as Job Order personnel assigned to the Laguna Provincial Public Information Office (PPIO), headed by Danilo Lucas. He said no action had been taken by Lucas on the matter as of the filing of the complaint.

He also sought assistance from the Civil Service Commission (CSC) regarding the alleged violations.