CARABUENA:

FROM BULLY TO BEING

CYBERBULLIED
• Back on 11 August 2012, Robert Blair
Carabuena was caught on camera in assaulting
a Metropolitan Manila Development Authority
(MMDA) aide Saturnino Fabros after he was
pulled over for a traffic violation. The video of
him berating and slapping the traffic enforcer
went viral on social media and became a
subject for online attacks.
• Carabuena issued an apology for his wrongdoings,
however he was still cyberbullied by Filipino netizens.
According to ABS-CBN News (2012), there are over 40
Facebook pages with names such as “Patayin si Robert
Blair Carabuena” ,“Like if you want Robert Blair
Carabuena to be fired from Philip Morris”, “Ikaw na
nga may pinagaralan ikaw pa walang modo, f*** you
Robert Carabuena” and “Ilechon si Robert Blair
Carabuena,” among others.
This implies that netizens are eager to seek justice
but are poor in following the law. Along with the
right to the Internet and information, as well as to
free speech, comes with the responsibility to respect
the rights and space of others.
• Eventually, Carabuena received a cancellation of
his driver's license from MMDA chief Francis
Tolentino. Also, Philippine National Police
revoked his gun license. He was able to set a bail
of Php12,000 from his warrant issues by
Metropolitan Trial Court. After attending his
case's preliminary hearing, he soon went to
hospital after being cursed by the mad
bystanders.
• Since Internet and technology brought people
closer together in an open-range of
communication, bullying became harder to
contain as it circulates within the social media,
and as long as everyone has access to the network,
one is likely to be vulnerable to this issue.
• To avoid cyberbullying, we should always be aware in
talking about certain topics. We sure all have opinions on
all subjects, but one should be respectful to others when
it comes to discussing controversial topics such as
gender, religion, politics, or war. To avoid being a
cyberbully, we should know the value of being a media
literate person, an individual that knows how to think
critically, and how to differentiate accurate information
from false rumours.
THANK YOU!