P-pop girl group BINI has filed a cybercrime case after facing backlash in connection with a viral spliced video.
According to their legal counsel, Atty. Joji Alonso, the complaint alleges the violation of the Cybercrime Prevention Law of 2012 (Republic Act 10175), specifically Sections 4b and 6, with unjust vexation under Article 287 of the Revised Penal Code.
In an Instagram post, Alonso explained that the move came in response to widespread flak after a YouTube video by People Vs Food, in which the girls were trying and rating popular Filipino foods, was “maliciously” edited, harming their public image.
“The uploaded spliced version was cut to 2-minutes and only showed their negative reactions, completely changing the show’s narrative,” Alonso wrote in a statement.
“This fueled online hate and bashing against BINI. This even escalated to personal attacks, name-calling, and grave insults. The malicious splicing of the video unjustly threw them in a bad light, causing irreparable emotional and mental distress,” she added.
Alonso reminded netizens that being free to speak out on online platforms comes with responsibility and accountability, and that it does not give one a license to discredit others.
“It must be remembered that freedom to post online is not an absolute right, and must be accompanied by truth, accountability and responsibility. Right to free speech ends when it starts to malign reputations or cause harm and damage upon others,” she said.
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Alonso did not name the respondent to the complaint.
The group, she said, is pushing back against cyberbullying and stands with other victims of this “prevalent” form of abuse.
