Sen. Risa Hontiveros on Thursday, July 23, condemned the death threats and pro-killing comments she said surfaced online following the death of political vlogger Alicia “Mima Alicia” Alipata after attending the slain vlogger’s funeral.
Hontiveros said some people celebrated Alicia’s death and called for further violence online, while others allegedly threatened that she would be “the next” target.
“Sa halip na makiramay, may mga nagdiriwang sa gitna ng kamatayan at nag-uudyok pa ng karahasan. Ngayon naman, marami rin ang tahasang nagbabanta na ako daw ‘ang susunod,’” Hontiveros said.
In her post, Hontiveros posted screenshots of the alleged threats.
“Wala bang kokontrata para kay Senator Risa Hontiveros? Nang matapos na ang ka-b********n,” a Facebook user said tagging the senator’s page.
“Planuhin maigi sino ang isusunod?” one Facebook user asked, accompanying the post with a photo of Hontiveros and former Sen. Antonio “Sonny” Trillanes IV.
“Dasurv na mahiga [siya] diyan,” another said.
The senator said she is taking the threats seriously, adding that her staff has been deleting and reporting disturbing comments on Facebook.
Hontiveros also said she submitted to the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) the names and screenshots of hundreds of Facebook users who allegedly threatened to kill her.
She called on social media platforms and law enforcement agencies to act against what she described as a “culture of impunity online.”
“Hindi dapat maging normal sa atin ang pagbabanta sa buhay ng ating kapwa. Kahit gaano kalalim ang pagkakaiba natin sa pulitika, may hangganan ang ating mga pagtatalo,” Hontiveros said.
“We cannot allow such hatred to cost another life. We are better than this,” she said.
Alicia was gunned down by a motorcycle-riding tandem on the morning of July 17 in front of her house in Caloocan City.
On Thursday, the Philippine National Police arrested two suspects in connection with her killing.
The police earlier said they are investigating the motive behind Mima Alicia’s killing, including whether her public statements or political views played a role in the attack. Mima Alicia is a known supporter of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.
Hontiveros visited the funeral on Monday.
