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Zambo journalist falls prey to Facebook 'thief'


A Zamboanga City journalist sought the help of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) and other authorities after his Facebook account was used to extort money. According to the website of the National Union of Journalists of the Philippines (NUJP), Gilbert Climaco has sought the help of the NBI, NUJP, and the Philippine National Police Criminal Investigation and Detection Group. Climaco is a program director and news anchor of Radio Mindanao Network (Radyo Mo Nationwide)'s Zamboanga City station. “I don't have knowledge about using social networking, in fact I don't have an account with Facebook or any other social media or networking sites," Climaco told the NUJP-ZAMBASULTA, according to an article posted on the NUJP website. Climaco said the fake Facebook account under the name "Gil Climaco" has brought him harassment, verbal abuse, and trauma. NBI Assistant Administrative Officer George Perez said Climaco is a victim of identity theft and the person or the impostor who used his personal background “has the intention to harm him physically, destroy his honor and image." Perez admitted that social networking is also one form of high technology media attack or harassment, “anybody can just create an account and can manipulate other people to attack you, its also a form of media attack." According to Climaco, he discovered that an unidentified person created a Facebook account in his name, photos and personal background. In the “Gil Climaco" Facebook account, lewd photos and other pornographic materials are posted tagging all media friends, sources from all government agencies including personal friends, relatives, families and children. “The impostor is doing negative things against me, maligned me and it has created a lot of mess in my life," Climaco said, adding his that family, friends, relatives, and children experienced trauma because of the photos. The NUJP said Lorna Fernandez Jumalon, a prominent local painter in Mindanao who was tagged in one of the indecent photos, initially reacted strongly against Climaco. “I want to hurt him, to slap him again and again," NUJP quoted her as saying. However, Fernandez-Jumalon was glad when she learned the Facebook account was not of the real Climaco. “What if she was not informed? Anybody can just approach me and do some harm on me," Climaco said. Doubtful posts As of Thursday noon, several visitors to the Facebook account in question began questioning the account holder's identity. "Zambo Press Club President should already call a meeting with representatives from all local media firm in the city to discuss what actions to take. This should be brought to the attention of the authorities not by Gil or RMN alone but by the Zambo Press Club representing the media industry in this city," said JV Faustino. PLDT, Facebook ...and even the government should be pressured to help identify the owner of this fake account. There is a way, even if the impostor is using proxy servers to hide his IP address. We just have to involve the right agencies capable of tracing this impostor's location. If we don't help, we might be the next victim," Faustino added. –VVP, GMANews.TV

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