CYBERSEX DEN: File photo of a raid conducted by the Philippine National Police Anti-Cybercrime Group in an alleged cybersex den in Barangay Old Balara, Quezon City. (INQUIRER picture)
MANILA, Philippines 鈥� Six individuals were arrested for online sexual abuses in separate operations by the Philippine National Police Anti-Cybercrime Group (PNP ACG).
In a report released on Tuesday, the ACG said a 33-year-old male identified as 鈥淒an鈥� was arrested after sharing explicit photos and videos of his 16-year-old female victim with his friends.
The suspect groomed the victim 鈥� who was a senior high school student 鈥� by courting her into a romantic relationship on Facebook and, after repeated requests, earning her trust to send explicit materials.
The victim鈥檚 mother reported the conversations between her daughter and the suspect to the police anti-cybercrime unit, which led to the arrest of Dan on Jan. 25 in Manila.
Dan faces a charge of violating the Special Protection of Children Against Abuse, Exploitation and Discrimination Act (Republic Act No. 7610 ) in relation to the Cybercrime Prevention Act (RA No. 10175).
Another ACG report made public on Tuesday said a 28-year-old male identified as 鈥淏ern鈥� posted defamatory statements and his ex-fianc茅e鈥檚 explicit photos he was able to get by forcibly taking her phone.
Bern then threatened to release intimate videos if she refused to return to him.
He was arrested on Jan. 26 in Calabanga, Camarines Sur.
He faces charges of computer-related identity theft and grave coercion under Article 286 of the Revised Penal Code.
He will also face a case for violating the Anti-Violence Against Women and Children Act, both in relation to the Cybercrime Prevention Act.
READ: PNP reports rise in voyeurism, online libel cases for 2024
Sextortion case
Another suspect, identified as 鈥淛ohn,鈥� and three accomplices were arrested on Jan. 30 in Basista, Pangasinan, for sextortion, a separate report from the ACG also on Tuesday said.
Sextortion involves non-physical forms of coercion to extort sexual favors from a victim.
The anti-cybercrime unit detailed that the victim was a 19-year-old female college student.
She met the suspect on Facebook in May 2023, engaged in an online relationship, and provided nude photos to him before ending the relationship.
Months later, the suspect demanded that she pay him an initial amount of P1,000, or else he would share her photos with her friends.
The amount increased to P10,000, then P15,000.
The suspects face charges of robbery with a grave threat, grave coercion, and robbery with intimidation of persons under Articles 282, 286, and 294 of the Revised Penal Code, in relation to the Cybercrime Prevention Act.
鈥淭hose who exploit and victimize others have no place in the digital world,鈥� ACG Director Brig. Gen. Bernard Yang said in a statement on Tuesday.
鈥淲e will not tolerate such acts, and we will ensure that offenders face the full force of the law,鈥� he added.