DAVAO CITY — A local court has found Davao broadcaster Jun Digamon guilty of gender-based online sexual harassment under Republic Act No. 11313, or the Safe Spaces Act, paving the way for his arrest after he failed to appear at the promulgation of judgment on Friday morning.
Following Digamon’s non-appearance, the court ordered the issuance of a warrant of arrest, which authorities said is expected to be served in the coming days. The conviction carries a penalty of imprisonment.
Digamon, a senior broadcaster and station manager of Brigada News FM–Davao, was convicted over a complaint filed by a former public attorney who accused him of committing gender-based online sexual harassment through his social media posts.
In addition to the conviction, Digamon is also facing eight counts of cyber libel filed by Jose Nelson ‘Tata’ Sala, the mayor of Sta. Cruz, Davao del Sur. These cases remain pending.
Case Background
Based on police records, Digamon was earlier arrested by the Davao City Police Office on the strength of a warrant issued by Sherila O. Resabal-Vinluan of the Municipal Trial Court in Cities (MTCC) Branch 6. He was apprehended at around 10:38 a.m. inside the Brigada News FM–Davao station at the ECI Building in Ulas, Davao City.
He was temporarily released after posting a ₱24,000 bail on the same day and even returned on air for his radio program the following day.
Digamon was charged under Section 12 of the Safe Spaces Act, which penalizes gender-based online sexual harassment. The law defines the offense as acts using information and communications technology to intimidate or harass victims through physical, psychological, or emotional threats, as well as unwanted sexist, misogynistic, homophobic, or transphobic remarks made online, whether publicly or through private messages.
Court records cited Digamon’s own social media posts, where he referenced being sued for allegedly calling people derogatory physical descriptions. One post read in part: “Ayaw mog post nga tawagong pangit, putot, lisngag ug ilong, tambok kay mao na akong kaso karon—gender-based sexual harassment.”
(“Don’t post calling someone ugly, short, flat-nosed, or fat because that’s the basis of my gender-based sexual harassment case.”)
In another post, he questioned whether making comments about someone’s appearance could still be considered “honesty,” statements prosecutors argued fell within the scope of online harassment under the law.
Digamon has a prior arrest record related to cyber libel. In November 2020, he was arrested over a Facebook post criticizing a medical center in Digos City regarding its treatment of a patient.
Authorities said the latest conviction underscores the enforceability of the Safe Spaces Act in holding individuals accountable for online conduct, regardless of profession or public standing.