Dong Abay to file cyber libel case for being mistakenly named as Capitol Hill rioter

Musician Dong Abay is filing cyber libel complaints against two people for being mistakenly identified as the man holding a walis tambo (broom) during the Capitol Hill riots in Washington.

Abay took to Facebook to say that he is “pursuing a cyber libel case to be administered by a US lawyer against Gemma Nemenzo and Rodel Rodis for spreading fake news.”

Rodis, a Filipino-American immigration lawyer, had previously posted on Facebook saying that Abay was the masked “FilAm insurrectionist” holding a walis tambo as he joined the mob that stormed Capitol Hill. He also shared photos of the rioter alongside a photo of Abay.

In his post, Rodis mentioned writer Gemma Nemenzo, implying that she had given him the information.

Abay has been in the Philippines, and has regularly been playing online gigs with fellow musicians.

In another post, Abay said, “I don’t fucking care if you’re an immigration lawyer or a privileged Filipino-American because I’m a rockstar,” adding the hashtags “#boomer” and “#boomerang.”

On Wednesday, January 6, Trump supporters stormed the US Capitol as the US House of Representatives and Senate were set to certify the results of the Electoral College and seal president-elect Joe Biden’s victory.

Philippine Ambassador to the United States Jose Manuel “Babe” Romualdez said that some Filipinos were among the mob. – Rappler.com