In an era where the digital landscape is as significant as the physical one, the Philippines has established a robust legal framework to combat online abuse. Whether you are dealing with Cyber Libel (defamation via a computer system) or Cyberbullying (harassment targeting minors or general online threats), the law provides specific avenues for redress.

1. Understanding the Legal Basis

In the Philippines, these offenses are primarily governed by two landmark pieces of legislation:

Republic Act No. 10175 (Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012): This law penalizes Cyber Libel, which is the public and malicious imputation of a crime, vice, or defect, committed through a computer system.
Republic Act No. 10627 (Anti-Bullying Act of 2013): While primarily school-based, this covers Cyberbullying directed at students. For adults, cyberbullying often falls under "Unjust Vexation" or "Grave Threats" under the Revised Penal Code, elevated by Section 6 of RA 10175.

2. Essential Evidence Collection

Before approaching the authorities, you must secure your digital evidence. The Philippine courts follow the Rules on Electronic Evidence.

Screenshots: Capture the offensive post, the profile of the perpetrator, the timestamp, and the URL.
Preservation: Do not delete the messages or posts immediately. If the perpetrator deletes them, the metadata may still be traceable by specialized units.
Links: Copy the direct links to the profiles and the specific content.

3. Where to File the Complaint

You have two primary options for technical assistance and filing. Both agencies have specialized cybercrime divisions:

A. PNP-ACG (Philippine National Police - Anti-Cybercrime Group)

Located at Camp Crame, Quezon City (with regional units), they are best for immediate investigation and "takedown" assistance.

Process: Visit their office to execute an affidavit. They can help trace IP addresses if the perpetrator is using a pseudonym.

B. NBI-CCD (National Bureau of Investigation - Cybercrime Division)

Located at the NBI Building in Manila (or regional offices), they are known for handling complex digital forensics.

Process: File a formal complaint. Their agents will evaluate the evidence and may issue subpoenas to Service Providers if necessary.

4. The Step-by-Step Filing Process

Preparation of Affidavit: Write a "Sworn Statement" detailing the who, what, when, where, and how. Attach your screenshots as "Annexes."
Initial Evaluation: The PNP or NBI will review if the elements of the crime exist.
Filing with the Prosecutor’s Office: Once the investigation is complete, a "Complaint-Affidavit" is filed for Preliminary Investigation.
Subpoena: The prosecutor will issue a subpoena to the respondent, giving them a chance to file a "Counter-Affidavit."
Resolution: The prosecutor determines if there is Probable Cause. If yes, an "Information" (formal charge) is filed in court, and a warrant of arrest may be issued.

5. Key Legal Distinctions to Remember

Feature	Cyber Libel (RA 10175)	Cyberbullying (General)
Penalty	One degree higher than ordinary libel (Prision Mayor).	Varies (Fine or Imprisonment based on the specific act).
Prescription Period	Currently interpreted as 15 years (as per recent SC rulings).	Varies based on the underlying felony.
Republication	Sharing/Commenting can sometimes lead to liability if it adds new defamatory sting.	Generally focuses on the original harasser.

6. Important Considerations

Jurisdiction: You can file the case in the Regional Trial Court (RTC) of the province or city where the complainant resides at the time of the offense, or where the offense was committed.
The "Public" Requirement: For libel, the content must be seen by a third person. Private messages (one-on-one) generally do not constitute libel but may fall under "Unjust Vexation."

Note: Libel is a criminal offense in the Philippines. Filing a case is a serious matter that involves the potential imprisonment of the accused and significant legal costs for both parties.

Would you like me to draft a template for a Sworn Statement/Affidavit of Complaint to help you organize your facts?