Actress and beauty queen Michelle Dee at the NBI Cybercrime Division, February 16, 2026. Zyann Ambrosio, ABS-CBN News
MANILA (UPDATED)— Actress and beauty queen Michelle Dee on Monday filed a complaint before the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) against online influencer Xian Gaza and several Facebook pages over what she described as the spread of false information about her.
Dee alleged that the influencer circulated misleading claims involving her.
She included three other Facebook pages in her complaint, one of which allegedly posted that she had fled the country and was already in another nation.
Dee maintained that the allegations being spread against her were lies.
She asserted that being a public figure should not be used as an excuse to damage her name through fake news.
The NBI earlier said it was validating all statements and evidence in a separate alleged mauling complaint filed by the driver of actress Rhian Ramos, which also named Dee and Samantha Panlilio.
Legal camp of Michelle Dee maintains she was in Iloilo at the time of alleged torture of driver
Apart from the alleged mauling incident at the condominium of Dee, the NBI said it would also look into the driver’s claim that he was tortured at a Makati police station to force him to admit to stealing sensitive material kept by Dee and Ramos.
EXCLUSIVE: Barangay records confirm Michelle Dee filed blotter vs driver
"I know I'm on the right side of this... I put my trust in our system, and I know that lalabas naman po ang kailangan lumabas," Dee said of the controversy.
"But am I worried? I'm just happy to be celebrating Chinese New Year very soon," she added.
In an online post, Xian Gaza described Dee's complaint as "strategic" and suggested it may divert public attention from the issue involving the driver who was allegedly beaten and illegally detained. He added that the headline "Michelle Dee vs Xian Gaza" would make Dee appear as the victim who is fighting back.
"The case is for damage control and a warning to journalists and content creators to be careful in posting about Dee in the future," Gaza said.
AUTHENTICATION AND PRESERVATION
According to NBI Acting Director Atty. Lito Magno, Dee can either give her statement in person or submit a prepared statement. Moreover, all related posts and articles on social media will undergo authentication and preservation.
He also clarified that the cybercrime complaint is separate from the mauling case.
"These are two different cases. They cannot be combined… They are separate, and the processes of investigation are different," Magno explained.
Dee confirmed she filed a blotter report at Barangay Urdaneta, Makati, but declined to provide further details.
"We can all stay diligent in avoiding false information. The blotter, if you need it, is as is… grabbing on the forearm, it's there, that's all," she said.
NBI Spokesperson Palmer Mallari said the bureau is also validating the statements and credibility of the complainants as part of their investigation.
Regarding the medico-legal examination, the NBI already has a copy but will not release it to the public.
"Everything needs to be completed first… all of this will be considered in the resolution of the case," said Mallari.
The bureau said those named in the complaint, including Dee and Rhian Ramos, are expected to be summoned in the coming days, possibly next week, but no exact date has been set.
Meanwhile, the NBI is also validating reports that Dee’s camp allegedly went to Samar to meet the family of Totoy.
"We will be given our chance to answer the allegations," said Atty. Maggie Garduque, Dee's lawyer.
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