Ched Rick Gatchalian

Article (news)

PNP says increase in anti-voyeurism violations 'alarming'

Michael Delizo

ABS-CBN News

<p>CAMP CRAME – The Philippine National Police-Anti-Cybercrime Group (PNP-ACG) on Tuesday said violations of the Anti-Photo and Video Voyeurism Act have increased in 2024.</p><p>According to data, violations of Republic Act 9995 have risen to 347 cases, up from 294 in 2023.</p><p>In the first nine days of January 2025 alone, the PNP-ACG has already received 10 new cases.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/2024/9/12/sc-affirms-conviction-of-man-who-took-naked-videos-of-nieces-2006">SC affirms conviction of man who took naked videos of nieces</a> </div><p>“Nakikita po natin na alarming po ito,” said PNP-ACG spokesperson Lieutenant Wallen Arancillo. “Hindi lang po awtoridad ang kailangang gumalaw dito, kundi pati mismo ‘yong parents or guardians po ng mga kabataan na involved po dito sa mga cases na ito.”</p><p>(We see that this is alarming. It&#x27;s not only the authorities who need to act, but also the parents or guardians of the youth involved in these cases.)</p><div><strong>Blackmailing case in Tondo</strong></div><p>Among the new cases this year is the arrest of a 50-year-old construction worker during an entrapment operation on Sunday in Tondo, Manila. He was accused of blackmailing a 19-year-old woman using explicit photos and videos of her.</p><p>The investigation revealed that the victim had initially met the suspect online and later engaged in sexual activity.</p><p>However, when the victim refused further interaction, the suspect began threatening to share explicit images and videos with her family and friends. </p><p>This prompted the PNP-ACG to launch an entrapment operation, which successfully led to the suspect’s arrest at the agreed meeting location.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/video/news/02/14/23/lalaki-nang-blackmail-umano-ng-ex-gamit-ang-nude-video">Lalaking nang-blackmail umano ng ex gamit ang nude video, tiklo</a> </div><div><strong>Be cautious on social media</strong></div><p>Arancillo advised the public to be cautious when using social media and to avoid engaging with unknown individuals.</p><p>“[Ang social media] din ‘yong means na ginagamit ng mga cyber criminals para mag-groom o mag-entice ng mga kabataan o kababaihan hanggang sa pamaniwala nila tayo doon sa promises nila,” Arancillo said.</p><p> (Social media is also a tool used by cyber criminals to groom or entice young people, especially women, until they believe the promises made to them.</p><p>“Mag-ingat po tayo sa mga social media interactions po natin. Huwag po tayo basta-basta maniniwala doon sa mga nakakausap natin sa online, most especially po, itong mga cybercriminals ay gumagamit lang ng dummy account,” she added.</p><p>(We should be careful with our social media interactions. Let’s not easily trust people we meet online, especially since cybercriminals often use fake accounts.)</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/2024/2/26/online-extortionist-apprehended-for-blackmail-voyeurism-in-cebu-2142">Online extortionist apprehended for blackmail, voyeurism in Cebu</a></div><p>PNP-ACG Acting Director Brigadier General Bernard Yang then issued a stern warning to individuals involved in recording, sharing, or using private videos to blackmail victims.</p><p> “The PNP-ACG reminds everyone that such acts are serious violations of the law, punishable by severe penalties, including fines and imprisonment. If you are a victim of online abuse, report it to us immediately so we can take swift action,” Yang said in a statement.</p><div><br/></div><div><strong>RELATED VIDEO:</strong></div><div><strong><span class="fr-video fr-deletable fr-fvc fr-dvb fr-draggable" contenteditable="false" draggable="true"><iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/7-QYZKZG604?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span></strong><br/></div>

<p>The Philippine National Police-Anti-Cybercrime Group (PNP-ACG) on Tuesday said violations of the Anti-Photo and Video Voyeurism Act have increased in 2024.</p>

The Philippine National Police-Anti-Cybercrime Group (PNP-ACG) on Tuesday said violations of the Anti-Photo and Video Voyeurism Act have increased in 2024.