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28-05-2015, 12:30 PM
An honorable member of the Coffee Shop Has Just Posted the Following:
http://www.manilaspeak.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/edz-ello-facebook-post.png
A Filipino registered nurse, Edz Ello, who is working in Singapore is now facing a unique kind of case. He was arrested due to an alleged Facebook post that maligned Singaporeans. He is now being charged with sedition and lying by the police and was laid off from work by the Tan Tock Seng Hospital.
In line with this, we got in touch with a foreign law expert in the form of Atty. Joyce Domingo Dapat of the Domingo, Munsayac, and Associates Law Offices on our show Kasangga Mo Ang Langit (6-7AM) on DWIZ 882Khz.
LAID OFF FROM WORK
Atty. Joyce told me that what the hospital did to Mr. Ello may be considered unjust because there should be a proper charge with evidence related to his work, not merely a comment on Singapore as a whole. “If we go into defences, our kababayan said his account was hacked,” he said.
BEYOND REASONABLE DOUBT
She also explained that this case brings to light two issues: one, the possibility of a hacked account; and two, the fear of our fellow Filipinos working in Singapore of losing their jobs. “This shouldn’t be the case. If no one saw him type the post, then how can they be sure that his account was indeed not hacked? This is a professional we are talking about. How come his spelling in the post is atrocious? Something does not connect,” she said.
CYBERCRIME?
Mr. Ello was accused of sedition due to the malicious comments published on his Facebook page last January 2, 2015. In this post, he allegedly said “Singaporean Tloosers…” and vowed “…to evict them from the country.” He also allegedly wished “that disastors would strike Singapore and more Singaporeans will die and he would celebrate.” To end his post, he allegedly said that “Pinoys better and stronger than Stinkaporeans.” He followed this up with a comment that said “Kick out all Singaporeans and this country will be a new Filipino state.” This is according to The Strait Times.
SINGAPORE INVESTIGATIONS
According to the authorities, the investigation into this case required digital forensic analysis and examination of server logs. “But they still cannot prove that he was the one who typed the post. Also the tone of the post resembles Singaporean speech and spelling,” Atty. Joyce said. UNJUST Atty. Joyce said that the hospital’s move to lay off Mr. Ello is also unjust given that nothing has been proven yet. “I guess they did it because of fear that their reputation will suffer. A similar case occurred when another person posted disparaging remarks against the prime minister. There was no due process, he was similarly just removed from work,” she said.
IMPOUNDED PASSPORT
Mr. Ello’s passport was also impounded-an act I know is illegal. “Yes, this is a violation of the right to travel if the person has not yet been convicted and is not in the black list. This is a basic violation of human rights,” Atty. Joyce affirmed.
TEN THOUSAND DOLLAR BAIL
Mr. Bello’s bail is set at SGD10,000. I asked Atty. Joyce why the bail was set so high. “This is what is stated for the crime of sedition. The biggest mistake of Mr. Ello was that he lied to the police. But then again, maybe he was scared. He is still young. Imagine you’re in a different country then suddenly somebody is arresting you. Of course, you would be afraid. So the bail was doubled. SGD5,000 for sedition and SGD5,0000 for lying,” she said.
CRIME OF SEDITION
I asked Atty. Joyce what Mr. Ello’s possible defense will be. “Well, I think they cannot prove sedition. The money he paid for bail can always be referred to him. Also cybercrime is so hard to prove. Also, all those who saw the post but did not report it may also be called conspirators. What’s important in the proving sedition is proving intent to wreak havoc in Singapore,” she said.
MULTICULTURALISM
Atty. Joyce explained that in Singapore there are really numerous stories of how different Freedom of Expression and Freedom of Speech are practiced. “According to our kababayans, Singaporeans really look at Filipinos as their competition given that we are diligent and speak better English. You really have to be careful about what you say. Also you have to consider that there are an average of 4 different cultures in that country: Indians, Malaysians, Chinese, and Filipinos. You have to be careful not to offend anyone with your remarks,” she said.
Click here to view the whole thread at www.sammyboy.com (http://sammyboy.com/showthread.php?207610-Benefit-of-the-Doubt-FILIPINO-CHARGED-IN-SINGAPORE&goto=newpost).
http://www.manilaspeak.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/edz-ello-facebook-post.png
A Filipino registered nurse, Edz Ello, who is working in Singapore is now facing a unique kind of case. He was arrested due to an alleged Facebook post that maligned Singaporeans. He is now being charged with sedition and lying by the police and was laid off from work by the Tan Tock Seng Hospital.
In line with this, we got in touch with a foreign law expert in the form of Atty. Joyce Domingo Dapat of the Domingo, Munsayac, and Associates Law Offices on our show Kasangga Mo Ang Langit (6-7AM) on DWIZ 882Khz.
LAID OFF FROM WORK
Atty. Joyce told me that what the hospital did to Mr. Ello may be considered unjust because there should be a proper charge with evidence related to his work, not merely a comment on Singapore as a whole. “If we go into defences, our kababayan said his account was hacked,” he said.
BEYOND REASONABLE DOUBT
She also explained that this case brings to light two issues: one, the possibility of a hacked account; and two, the fear of our fellow Filipinos working in Singapore of losing their jobs. “This shouldn’t be the case. If no one saw him type the post, then how can they be sure that his account was indeed not hacked? This is a professional we are talking about. How come his spelling in the post is atrocious? Something does not connect,” she said.
CYBERCRIME?
Mr. Ello was accused of sedition due to the malicious comments published on his Facebook page last January 2, 2015. In this post, he allegedly said “Singaporean Tloosers…” and vowed “…to evict them from the country.” He also allegedly wished “that disastors would strike Singapore and more Singaporeans will die and he would celebrate.” To end his post, he allegedly said that “Pinoys better and stronger than Stinkaporeans.” He followed this up with a comment that said “Kick out all Singaporeans and this country will be a new Filipino state.” This is according to The Strait Times.
SINGAPORE INVESTIGATIONS
According to the authorities, the investigation into this case required digital forensic analysis and examination of server logs. “But they still cannot prove that he was the one who typed the post. Also the tone of the post resembles Singaporean speech and spelling,” Atty. Joyce said. UNJUST Atty. Joyce said that the hospital’s move to lay off Mr. Ello is also unjust given that nothing has been proven yet. “I guess they did it because of fear that their reputation will suffer. A similar case occurred when another person posted disparaging remarks against the prime minister. There was no due process, he was similarly just removed from work,” she said.
IMPOUNDED PASSPORT
Mr. Ello’s passport was also impounded-an act I know is illegal. “Yes, this is a violation of the right to travel if the person has not yet been convicted and is not in the black list. This is a basic violation of human rights,” Atty. Joyce affirmed.
TEN THOUSAND DOLLAR BAIL
Mr. Bello’s bail is set at SGD10,000. I asked Atty. Joyce why the bail was set so high. “This is what is stated for the crime of sedition. The biggest mistake of Mr. Ello was that he lied to the police. But then again, maybe he was scared. He is still young. Imagine you’re in a different country then suddenly somebody is arresting you. Of course, you would be afraid. So the bail was doubled. SGD5,000 for sedition and SGD5,0000 for lying,” she said.
CRIME OF SEDITION
I asked Atty. Joyce what Mr. Ello’s possible defense will be. “Well, I think they cannot prove sedition. The money he paid for bail can always be referred to him. Also cybercrime is so hard to prove. Also, all those who saw the post but did not report it may also be called conspirators. What’s important in the proving sedition is proving intent to wreak havoc in Singapore,” she said.
MULTICULTURALISM
Atty. Joyce explained that in Singapore there are really numerous stories of how different Freedom of Expression and Freedom of Speech are practiced. “According to our kababayans, Singaporeans really look at Filipinos as their competition given that we are diligent and speak better English. You really have to be careful about what you say. Also you have to consider that there are an average of 4 different cultures in that country: Indians, Malaysians, Chinese, and Filipinos. You have to be careful not to offend anyone with your remarks,” she said.
Click here to view the whole thread at www.sammyboy.com (http://sammyboy.com/showthread.php?207610-Benefit-of-the-Doubt-FILIPINO-CHARGED-IN-SINGAPORE&goto=newpost).