Toni Fowler charged with cybercrime for controversial 'MPL' music video, ordered for arrest
Toni Fowler has been issued a warrant of arrest and is facing cybercrime charges for her controversial music video for her song MPL.
The arrest was ordered by the Pasay City Regional Trial Court Branch 108 after they charged Fowler with violating Article 201 of the Revised Penal Code in relation to Section 6 of the Cybercrime Prevention Act.
Article 201 criminalizes "immoral doctrines, obscene publications and exhibitions and indecent shows," and punishes those who violate it with imprisonment or a fine ranging from P6,000 to P12,000, or both.
ABS-CBN reported that the content creator had posted bail set at P120,000 on Friday afternoon.
Fowler released her MPL music video in February last year, which immediately garnered controversy online because of its adult content and sexual lyrics.
After it became a hot topic online, Fowler later explained in a TikTok post that the video was restricted and that it was not intended for a universal audience.
"Ang daming nagsasabi ngayon ng kung anu-ano tungkol sa bago kong nilabas na kanta. Ine-expect ko din naman talaga na marami ding magagalit at hindi makakaintindi dahil itong nilabas kong music video ay hindi po para sa lahat," she said.
"Sa totoo lang guys… kaya restricted talaga 'yun na may age dapat dahil hindi po talaga 'yun para sa mga bata. Ngayon, kung pinapabayaan niyo ang mga anak niyo, please huwag niyo po sa akin isisi lahat. Restricted po 'yun para sa mga adults lang po. Ginawa ko po ang kantang 'yan at MV na iyan para sa mga makaka-relate lang," she continued.
Fowler stressed to her followers to refrain from watching the video if they feel like it is not for them.
Prior to this, the Movie and Television Review and Classification Board (MTRB) also gave their thoughts on the music video, stating that it would have given it a "Not for Public Exhibition" or an "X" rating if it had the opportunity to review it.
"We would also like to remind the public that they may use the report/flag option on YouTube and other online platforms to flag or report content they deem inappropriate or offensive to their sensitivities," the board urged.
PhilSTAR L!fe did a quick search on Fowler's YouTube account MOMMY TONI FOWLER and found that as of writing, the music video and lyric video for the song are still published. The videos have 9 million and 2.1 million views, respectively.