Robi Domingo consults NBI following online threat from DonBelle fan
Robi Domingo consulted with the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) after a fan of Donny Pangilinan and Belle Mariano, also known as DonBelle, threatened him online if he continued suggesting a pairing between Donny and Kathryn Bernardo.
The issue stemmed from a comment on Robi's Instagram post wherein he announced his excitement at being one of the presenters of the upcoming season of Pilipinas Got Talent alongside Melai Cantiveros. Donny and Kathryn will serve as judges, alongside Eugene Domingo and Freddie Garcia.
A user claiming to be a "solid supporter" of Belle warned the television host about trying to pair the actress' love team with Kathryn.
"Subukan mo lang na i-match si Donny at Kathryn, ready ang solid supporters ni Belle Mariano na ibash ka mula ulo mo hanggang paa. 'Wag mo i-tolerate 'yung kalandian ng peste mong kaibigan," they wrote.
Robi then typed a response to the basher, "Can I consider this as a threat? Can I take legal actions (sic) against this? I don’t tolerate this behavior."
Days later, the Kapamilya talent updated his fans on his social media accounts that he made a visit to the NBI and met with Jerome Bomediano, Chief of the NBI-Organized and Transnational Crime Division, to discuss the recent threat he faced.
He then shared his learnings, including how one can file a complaint in any government agency, especially if safety is at risk, and how you should "always take screenshots of your complaint and the URL."
"Even if it’s deleted, the digital trace is still there," Robi wrote. "Whether it’s a troll or not, there’s a real person behind the screen, and they are still responsible for their actions."
"Remember, every action has consequences, whether online or offline. Let’s be kind and take responsibility," he underscored.
In an interview with entertainment reporter MJ Felipe, the local star confirmed that he visited the NBI because of the DonBelle fan who threatened him.
"There was a certain basher. I did my research, I did my due diligence, eh alam mo 'yung mga araw na pagod ka lang, napikon ka," he recounted.
He then asked his wife Maiqui Pineda for advice on what to do.
"Sabi ko, 'Patulan ko lang, okay lang ba?' And then she said, 'Basta ask questions, don't be direct kasi that will just create turmoil and all, and she was right. I did ask questions, and it did create a lot of things happening, specifically with the fans of Kathryn and DonBelle," Robi said.
"They were telling me, 'Uy, magpaka-kuya ka nga' and all, But where I'm coming from is just, 'Paano naman ako? Tinreathen naman ako?' Some people say it can be a minor threat and it's a troll account, pero I hope this sets an example na minor or major threat, troll or not, you have to take accountability of your actions, online or offline," he said.
He then revealed that Belle herself had gotten wind of the issue and personally messaged him to express her support for him.
"I was so surprised and happy na nag-message akin si Belle saying, 'Hi Kuya, I hope you're okay.' And she was so nice telling me na, 'Rest assured, my true fans will not harm you in any way. Hindi sila ganon, they love you, they respect you a lot. So if you need something, just let me know,'" Robi shared.
He continued, "And then I told her the whole story, and actually, we're so okay. We're in sync. We're okay. Kaya doon ko siya mas na-appreciate."
Despite knowing it was just a troll account, Robi isn't letting the threat pass.
"Inisip ko lang, kung papalampasin ko 'to sa isang troll account, edi pwedeng gumawa ng maraming troll accounts, and then mang-harass lang ng tao, eh 'di naman pwede 'yun," he said.
He clarified that while he has been trolled "so many times before," he wanted to safeguard himself for what's going to happen in the future especially when he is outside doing events.
"It's really not just my security, but the security of the people around me, my family, my loved ones, my friends. When you go out, may certain kaba ka na kapag kinamayan ko 'to baka mamaya hampasin niya ako or something like that. So I'm just taking the extra measure lang to protect everyone, especially in my circle," he said.
According to him, it is now up to the NBI whether they will pursue the case.
