SC: Private chat, video logs may be used as evidence in criminal cases
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SC: Private chat, video logs may be used as evidence in criminal cases
ABS-CBN News/File
ABS-CBN News/FileMANILA — The Supreme Court (SC) on Tuesday said online chat logs can be admitted as evidence in court—without violating the privacy of the defendant—if used in determining if a crime was committed.
MANILA — The Supreme Court (SC) on Tuesday said online chat logs can be admitted as evidence in court—without violating the privacy of the defendant—if used in determining if a crime was committed.
In a press release, the SC explained the legal concept through the case of "People vs Eul Vincent Rodriguez," who was convicted of qualified trafficking in persons.
In a press release, the SC explained the legal concept through the case of "People vs Eul Vincent Rodriguez," who was convicted of qualified trafficking in persons.
Part of the evidence presented were obtained from chats on Facebook and other online platforms.
Part of the evidence presented were obtained from chats on Facebook and other online platforms.
"In 2013, the Anti-Human Trafficking Task Force of Region 7 (Task Force) began investigating Rodriguez after receiving a tip from the United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Police Officer 3 Jerry Gambi (PO3 Gambi) used a decoy account to communicate with Rodriguez across various online platforms, recording their correspondence," the SC said.
"In 2013, the Anti-Human Trafficking Task Force of Region 7 (Task Force) began investigating Rodriguez after receiving a tip from the United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Police Officer 3 Jerry Gambi (PO3 Gambi) used a decoy account to communicate with Rodriguez across various online platforms, recording their correspondence," the SC said.
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Through their chat, Rodriguez offered the police officer "nude shows" of his minor cousins in exchange for a fee. Authorities then recorded the nude show, and set up an entrapment operation for Rodriguez.
Through their chat, Rodriguez offered the police officer "nude shows" of his minor cousins in exchange for a fee. Authorities then recorded the nude show, and set up an entrapment operation for Rodriguez.
Upon Rodriguez’s acceptance of the payment, he was arrested and charged.
Upon Rodriguez’s acceptance of the payment, he was arrested and charged.
As the case was tried in lower courts, Rodriguez argued that the evidence were inadmissible for violating his privacy rights.
As the case was tried in lower courts, Rodriguez argued that the evidence were inadmissible for violating his privacy rights.
In a decision written by SC Associate Justice Mario Lopez, he denied Rodriguez's appeal.
In a decision written by SC Associate Justice Mario Lopez, he denied Rodriguez's appeal.
Lopez emphasized that the videos and chat logs were presented as evidence to show Rodriguez’s method of reaching out to foreigners to offer minors for sexual exploitation.
Lopez emphasized that the videos and chat logs were presented as evidence to show Rodriguez’s method of reaching out to foreigners to offer minors for sexual exploitation.
"We reject Rodriguez's contentions that the recorded chat logs and videos are inadmissible in evidence for violation of his right to privacy. Republic Act No. 10173, also known as the Data Privacy Act of 2012, allows the processing of sensitive personal information when it relates to the determination of criminal liability of a data subject and when necessary for the protection of lawful rights and interests of persons in court proceedings," the decision read.
"We reject Rodriguez's contentions that the recorded chat logs and videos are inadmissible in evidence for violation of his right to privacy. Republic Act No. 10173, also known as the Data Privacy Act of 2012, allows the processing of sensitive personal information when it relates to the determination of criminal liability of a data subject and when necessary for the protection of lawful rights and interests of persons in court proceedings," the decision read.
Rodriguez was sentenced to life imprisonment and fined P2 million.
Rodriguez was sentenced to life imprisonment and fined P2 million.
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