Bicol Saro Rep. Terry Ridon took to social media to share a physical threat that was directed towards him through a private message of an account linked to Lebak, Sultan Kudarat Councilor Robert ‘Tonton’ Celestial.

In a screenshot of the message included in Ridon’s post, Celestial wrote, “Pag nasapak ko mukha mo ewan ko nalang.”

(When I punch you in the face I don’t know what will happen)

With the post quickly gaining traction on social media, numerous people online took to the comment section to share their input on the matter, including the father of the councilor–Sultan Kudarat Municipal Mayor Frederick “Bong White” Celestial.

The mayor claimed that Ridon aired the online exchange as a form of politicking, noting how his son had only been in his post for a period of one year.

“Napaka aga para kayo mamolitika hayaan nio.muna mag trabaho 1 year pa lang cla nkaupo kala nio kung cno.kayo na perpekto,” Frederick commented.

(It is too early for you to be engaging in politicking, let my son work, he’s only been in his post for one year. You think you’re perfect)

However, in response, the solon maintained that he was not taking the matter lightly and that he was going to be pursuing remedies to resolve the incident.

“Thank you po mayor pakisabi nalang po kay konsehal na anak ninyo na hindi namin palalagpasin ito,” he said.

(Thank you mayor, tell your son that’s a councilor that we will not let this pass)

Hours after the exchange was posted, Ridon shared a post claiming that the Facebook account of Celestial, the councilor, was supposedly hacked.

The solon was quick to point out, however, that the details were fraudulent and that the claim was clearly meant to cover up for the message.

In a message to the DAILY TRIBUNE, Ridon confirmed that he was going to be requesting for the Cybercrime Investigation and Coordinating Center (CICC) and the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) to investigate the matter which he believed could constitute a cybercrime violation.

He noted that Celestial may also be preventively suspended while investigations on the incident were ongoing, noting that threats between public officials were not treated lightly.

“We will ask the CICC to look into this incident of digital threats made by Lebak, Sultan Kudarat SB member Robert ‘Tonton’ Celestial, in order that criminal charges can be made against him on the basis of cybercrime violations,” he said.

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

Under Philippine law, individuals found to have violated the Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012 could be subjected to thousands of pesos worth of fines and may even face imprisonment depending on the type of crime committed.