NEWS

Manila journalist rapped in Davao for cyberlibel

Sean A. Magbanua · Oct 24, 2026, 10:37 PM

JOURNALIST Philip Lustre (second from left) is escorted in handcuffs by personnel of Quezon City Police Station 10 for an alleged medical examination following his arrest over an alleged cyberlibel complaint filed in far-off Davao City. — PHOTOGRAPH BY ANALY LABOR FOR DAILY TRIBUNE

Veteran journalist Philip Lustre Jr. was arrested by police on Saturday, 24 October, on a cyberlibel warrant issued by a Davao City court.

Officers from the Quezon City Police District’s (QCPD) Kamuning Police Station 10 arrested Lustre shortly after he attended the weekly Saturday News Forum at Dapo Restaurant on Scout Borromeo Street.

“I will fight this. I will not back down,” Lustre told reporters after his arrest.

Lustre said he did not know which article of his led to the complaint, or who filed it. “I don’t know who the complainant is. They say the complainant is from Davao City,” he said.

Asked whether he had been aware of the complaint, he replied: “No, nothing. Well, someone is easily offended.”

Branch 10 of the Regional Trial Court in Davao City issued the Warrant of Arrest. The Kamuning Police Station Warrant Section carried out the arrest, in coordination with the QCPD Anti-Cybercrime Team and the Cyber Patroller and Tracker Team.

The QCPD said Lustre remains in police custody pending court proceedings.

“The issuing court will be notified of the arrest, and the warrant will be returned in accordance with established procedures,” the QCPD said.