DFA to OFWs: Be Careful What You Post on Social Media
MANILA – The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) is appealing to the public to be more careful when posting something on social media.
“Sana po maging lesson sa mga kababayan natin na magingat sa kanilang pananalita, sinusulat, sinasabi. Sa tingin natin harmless, pero in some countries mahigpit nga when it comes to security laws,” said Foreign Affairs Assistant Secretary Charles Jose.
Jose made the statement after Filipino nurse Ello Ed Mundsel Bello got in trouble in Singapore because of a Facebook post insulting Singaporeans.
A Singapore court sentenced the 29-year-old Bello to four months in prison for sedition and another month for lying to police investigators.
Bello had claimed his account was hacked but later admitted to posting the comments.
After serving his sentence, Bello will be sent home and will no longer be allowed to return to Singapore.
“Blacklisted na po siya sa Singapore dahil meron na siyang offense, and convicted na siya,” added Jose.
The DFA closely followed Bello’s case even providing him with a private lawyer for his defense.
Bello could have been sentenced to at least 4 years in prison, but the judge said, Bello was a first-time offender who showed remorse by pleading guilty at the first opportunity.
In the past, Singaporeans who have written or published racist comments about other ethnic groups as well as foreigners have also been prosecuted.