More voyeurism cases recorded in 2024, PNP says

Philippine National Police headquarters in Camp Crame

MANILA, Philippines — More cases of individuals recording others during sexual activity without their consent were reported in 2024, according to the Philippine National Police Anti-Cybercrime Group (PNP ACG).

In an interview with reporters at Camp Crame on Tuesday, Col. Jay Guillermo, spokesperson of the unit, said the ACG logged 316 cases of voyeurism from January 1 to November 21, 2024, an increase from 279 incidents during the same period in 2023.

The Anti-Photo and Video Voyeurism Act or Republic Act 9995 prohibits taking, reproducing, selling, distributing, or publishing photos or videos of individuals engaging in sexual activity without consent.

READ: Tougher ‘Peeping Tom’ legislation sought

Guillermo added that based on the ACG’s observations, individuals aged 25 to 40 were the most frequently involved in voyeurism cases, with victims as young as 16 years old.

When asked why voyeurism cases were on the rise, Guillermo said in Filipino, “They want to record it because the technology is available. They agree that there’s sentimental value to these recordings.”

“Because of technology and the curiosity of these people, especially those at this age, it’s as though they are discovering something that they don’t know has an adverse effect,” he added in a mix of Filipino and English.

Guillermo said Filipino users must be cautious with their data “especially in the digital age.”

“Any information about you, your name, that’s dangerous if it’s mishandled out there. If this is used by another person, they can use it to deceive other people. How much more if it’s a video that shows two people in activities that may damage their reputations?” he added in a mix of Filipino and English.

Man nabbed in Caloocan for voyeurism

ACG also told reporters that its operatives and officers from Metro Manila’s Northern Police District arrested a man in Caloocan City on Monday evening for voyeurism.

The complainant was his ex-girlfriend, whom he had been in a relationship with for nearly two years and threatened to release private photos on social media platforms unless she met up with him.

Guillermo said, “The victim’s explanation to our police was that she felt pressured or, in her terms, she felt suffocated by their relationship that’s why she wanted out of it. Maybe because they met every day or there was pressure.”

“She wanted to break free from the relationship. But then again, he had videos and pictures of her, that’s what he used to scare her,” he added in Filipino

According to Guillermo, the victim sought help from the ACG, which then nabbed the suspect in an entrapment operation at a Caloocan hotel at 7:05 p.m. on November 25.

The suspect faces complaints for grave coercion and violations of the Anti-Photo and Video Voyeurism Act, the Anti-Violence against Women Act, and the Cybercrime Prevention Act.