Man nabbed for Internet threat
The National Bureau of Investigation in Central Visayas (NBI-7) yesterday arrested a 37-year-old man who was accused of extorting P15,000 from his ex-girlfriend by threatening to post their intimate photos and videos on line.
Ray Anthony Abella Jr. of barangay Lahug, Cebu City, was arrested in an entrapment operation by NBI-7 agents at a fastfood restaurant in barangay Guadalupe.
NBI-7 Agent Bernard dela Cruz said charges will be filed against Abella for violating Republic Act 9262 or the Anti-Violence Against Women and Their Children Act of 2004 and Republic Act 9995 or the Anti-Photo and Video Voyeurism Act of 2009.
“We are not after the act of extortion but the protection of women,” Dela Cruz told Cebu Daily News (CDN).
Abella, in an interview, denied the allegations made by his former girlfriend.
“Ang pictures namin sa DVD siya ang may gawa. Gusto niyang kunin. Ewan ko bakit niya ako pinahuli. (My girlfriend was the one who made the DVD pictures. She wanted to take them. I don’t know why she had me arrested),” Abella told CDN.
He said he would retain the legal services of former Cebu City councilor Gerardo Carillo to defend him.
In her affidavit, the woman said Abella demanded P15,000 from her so their “compromising” photos and videos won’t be posted in the Internet.
They agreed to meet in a fastfood restaurant yesterday where Abella was supposed to hand over the disc containing the videos and photos.
After he received the money from the woman, NBI agents arrested Abella.
“His action caused me mental anguish, sleepless night and huge embarrassment. He discriminately sent lewd photo of me to my boss and my estranged husband,” the woman said in her complaint.
Abella and the woman had a relationship but are married to different partners./REPORTER ADOR VINCENT S. MAYOL WITH PIT INTERN ARGIE MAE D. LODOVICA
