The 24-year-old female university student involved in a sex video scandal sought the assistance of the National Bureau of Investigation in Central Visayas (NBI-7) to identify and arrest those responsible for uploading the video on the Internet.
Accompanied by her mother and officials of the University of San Jose-Recoletos (USJ-R), the student filed a complaint at the NBI-7 office in barangay Capitol Site, Cebu City yesterday.
Meanwhile, the University of Cebu expressed support for the student and USJ-R through a statement posted in the Facebook account of UC Chancellor Candice Gotianuy.
The female student and her mother asked the NBI-7 to help them stop the spread of the two-year-old sex video, which also has bootleg copies being sold by downtown vendors.
NBI-7 supervising agents Gregorio Algoso and Rey Villordon were assigned to handle the complaint.
NBI-7 Regional Director Antonio Pagatpat said they will ask their central office and the Department of Justice (DOJ) to help pin down those who uploaded the video.
“Despite our limited resources, we will do our best to help,” Pagatpat said.
Pagatpat said they will ask the DOJ to seek US aid through the Mutual Legal Assistance Treaties (MLAT) which allows the sharing of information and evidence related to criminal investigations and prosecutions between the country and US.
Assisted by USJ-R College of Law Asst. Dean Elaine Bathan, the student executed a sworn affidavit at the NBI-7 office.
She wore sunglases and covered her face on her way to a vehicle outside the NBI-7 building.
The university lawyers will represent the student after her lawyer Inocencio dela Cerna chose to entrust her to the USJ-R lawyers.
Fr. Amado Emmanuel Bolilia, OAR, vice president for Academics of USJ-R, said the student and her mother want to go after the person who uploaded the sex video and stop the circulation of the sex video.
Bolilia said USJ-R is willing to assist their student in whatever way they can, including special arrangements that will allow her to finish her requirements in time for graduation.
USJ-R decided not to impose any penalty on its student. Bolilia was grateful to the University of Cebu (UC) for expressing its support through a statement.
In a statement released by UC chancellor, lawyer Candice Gotianuy, the university lauded USJ-R’S stand on the sex video scandal.
“If today, the Josenian’s role is to ‘inspire’, I would like our UCnians to ‘respect.’ Respect the uniform of USJR. No bullying, no heckling, no snide remarks online or on the streets. Don’t make them feel uncomfortable. And if you see someone bullying them, step in and stop it,” Gotianuy said.
Bolila said they have yet to communicate with UC officials on the matter.
“There was never a communication between the two institutions but we are glad about the appreciation and show of support from the University of Cebu,” Bolilia said.
Earl Bonachita, president of the Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP) Cebu City chapter, earlier advised the people to stop spreading the sex video.
He said Republic Act 9995 or the Anti-Photo and Video Voyeurism Act of 2009 penalizes anyone who “sells, shares, shows, or exhibits” the sex video or photo without the consent of the persons involved in the video or photo.
Anyone find guilty of sharing or selling copies of the sex video can be imprisoned ranging from three to seven years and/or fined at least P100,000 to not more than P500,000.