THE Regional Anti-Cybercrime Unit (Racu) Davao reminded the public anew against sending nude pictures or filming intimate encounters with their partners after their office has received a total of six “sextortion” cases in Davao City.
Racu Davao director Colonel Noel Espinoza said in a press forum Wednesday, March 4, at The Royal Mandaya Hotel that these individuals were arrested during an entrapment operation after their victims sought help from their office when their former partner threatened to expose their intimate photos and videos.
The arrested individuals were all charged for violating Republic Act 9995 or the Anti-Photo and Video Voyeurism Act of 2009.
As defined under the law, sextortion is the practice of extorting money or sexual favors from someone by threatening to reveal evidence of their sexual activity.
“‘Yong na-irecord natin na nag-pursue into entrapment operation apat positive and filed cases sa court for sextortion. Let’s say mag boyfriend, ‘yong mga nude photos mga sex videos nila ay pino-post,” he said.
In 2019, they pursued four cases and two in February this year. All the complainants were female.
“Ang pinakamaganda ‘nyan umiwas tayo sa pag-take videos especially kung may mga intimate tayong ginagawa kasi nagiging rason na pag-humiwalay ang isa sa kanila ay ginagawang panakot or pang frame up ito. Umiwas nalang tayo. Hindi namin ina-advise na huwag tayong mag-uyab (that we can’t go dating) pero ito lang po ang iwasan. Be responsible social media user,” Espinoza said.
Espinoza, meanwhile, advised couples to avoid taking nude photos or recording sex videos while in a relationship. They are also advised to scrutinize their partners properly if they are responsible enough to keep their files private.
For those individuals who are being blackmailed by their former partners, Espinoza likewise advised them to report to their office for immediate action.
“Report immediately to authorized LEAs (Racu11) any violation of RA 9995 or violation of any cyber-related laws,” Espinoza said.