Bicol Saro Representative Terry Ridon on Thursday said he would ask the Cybercrime Investigation and Coordinating Center (CICC) and the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) to investigate an alleged online threat sent by a social media account linked to Lebak, Sultan Kudarat Councilor Robert “Tonton” Celestial.

Ridon posted on social media a screenshot of a private message that allegedly read: “If I punch you in the face, I don’t know what will happen.” The original message was in Filipino.

The exchange quickly drew reactions online, including from Sultan Kudarat Mayor Frederick “Bong White” Celestial, the councilor’s father, who suggested Ridon was engaging in politics.

“It’s too early to be playing politics. Let him do his job first,” the mayor wrote in the comments section.

Ridon replied: “Please tell your son, the councilor, that we will not let this pass.”

Hours later, Ridon said another post claimed the councilor’s Facebook account had been hacked, but dismissed the explanation as an attempt to disown the alleged threat.

In a statement to the DAILY TRIBUNE, Ridon said he would formally ask the CICC to determine whether the incident violated the Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012.

“We will ask the CICC to look into this incident of digital threats made by Lebak, Sultan Kudarat SB member Robert ‘Tonton’ Celestial so that criminal charges may be filed if warranted,” Ridon said.

He also said he would ask the DILG to determine whether administrative sanctions, including preventive suspension, should be imposed while the matter is under investigation.

“We will also ask the DILG to look into the matter and preventively suspend Mr. Celestial pending the investigation, as local government officials commit misconduct if they make criminal threats against others while holding public office,” he said.

Under the Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012, certain offenses committed through information and communications technologies carry penalties that may include imprisonment and fines, depending on the violation established during the investigation.