Radioman nabbed for posting photos of ‘sex assault victim’ on social media

Social media (INQUIRER FILE PHOTO/ANGELO GONZALEZ)

DAVAO CITY — A radio broadcaster in Tagum City, Davao del Norte was arrested on Thursday for alleged violation of anti-photo and video voyeurism law for posting on social media images of a young woman who was believed to be a victim of sexual assault.

The media practitioner was identified as George Pangandoyon, a block-timer for an FM radio station in Davao del Norte’s capital.

Chief Insp. Andrea dela Cerna, spokesperson of the Southern Mindanao police regional office, confirmed the arrest but did not give additional details, saying the local police has not submitted a report on it.

Pangandoyon’s arrest elicited varied reactions from colleagues and netizens, even as many slammed local police for focusing on the broadcaster while the attacker or attackers of the 18-year old victim remained unidentified.

Dela Cerna said that based on initial investigation, the victim, who has been working for a catering business in one of Tagum’s malls, was found by her co-workers inside one of the rooms of an apartment rented by their employer in Barangay Visayan Village around 2 p.m. on Wednesday.

“She was naked, her hands tied with tie-box string and feet bound with the cord of an electric fan,” said Dela Cerna, adding the victim, a native of Compostela Valley, was found by fellow employees as they went to the place to get some sacks of rice.

The apartment serves as living quarters for workers as well as rice storage area.

“They were stunned (upon) seeing (the victim) in that (state),” Dela Cerna said in a text message to Philippine Daily Inquirer.

The victim was rushed to Mission Medical Hospital in Tagum for immediate treatment, Dela Cerna said.

Reports said Pangandoyon, also a resident of Visayan Village, took the photos and videos when the victim was being moved from the apartment.  He uploaded them to the social media immediately afterwards.

Calls to the mobile phone of Superintendent Laudemer Laude, the Tagum City police chief, went unanswered as of late Thursday.

Dela Cerna said that as of Thursday, investigations were ongoing to identify and arrest those who abused the young woman.

Dela Cerna gave an indication on the health condition of the victim, saying: “She’s only answering queries through writing.”  SFM