SEN. Risa Hontiveros condemned the death threats and pro-killing comments following the death of vlogger Alicia “Mima Alicia” Lipata, who was shot dead in her home on July 17.
“Instead of condoling, some celebrate amid death and even urge violence. Now, many have outright threatened that I will be ‘the next,’” Hontiveros said in Filipino on Thursday.
“We are taking these threats seriously. My staff has routinely deleted and reported these disturbing comments on Facebook, and we have submitted to the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) the names and screenshots of hundreds of Facebook users who have threatened to kill me,” she said.
“Threatening the life of our fellows should not become normal,” the lawmaker said in Filipino.
“No matter how deep our political differences are, there is a limit to our disagreements. We cannot allow such hatred to cost another life. We are better than this,” she said in Filipino and English.
Hontiveros had visited the vlogger’s wake and condoled with Lipata’s loved ones and said she was one with them in seeking justice.
“This kind of tragedy should never ever happen to anyone,” Hontiveros said.
“Mina, thank you very much for your support. May you rest in peace,” she said.
