Content Warning: This article discusses sensitive material involving minors.
Concerns were raised following reports that explicit videos of minors were uploaded by a mobile phone technician who has since been arrested.
Police identified the suspect as “Edu,” a 22-year-old from Jabonga, Agusan del Norte, who allegedly shared explicit videos of Grade 11 students after one of them handed their phone in for repair.
Reports said that “Mark,” a 17-year-old student, took his mobile phone to be repaired earlier this January.
When it was returned to him, private videos involving him and his girlfriend — also a 17-year-old student — were shared on social media a few days later.
The videos were retrieved from the mobile phone that the technician had repaired.
Police said Edu offered the videos on Facebook and mentioned the students’ names, writing, “Who wants a sex video? Private message me.”
Reports said there was also a video showing the clip being played from Mark’s phone, with Edu seen holding a mobile phone and recording.
Philippine National Police Anti-Cybercrime Group (PNP ACG) Director Brig. Gen. Wilson Asueta said the videos were circulated among the family, the barangay and the school.
“Kung kayo magpa-repair, bantayan ninyo at huwag kayong magtiwala na iwanan ang cellphone, unless nalinis ninyo cellphone ninyo bago ninyo ipa-repair at iwanan,” he said in a media briefing.
The police said they are investigating whether Edu had done something similar with other clients.
He will face charges for violations of the Anti-Online Sexual Abuse or Exploitation of Children Act and the Anti-Child Sexual Abuse or Exploitation Materials Act.
The issue of minors having private videos, meanwhile, also alarmed social media users.
“Grade 11, may bembang vids?! Geeeez!!!! Well, wala tayong winner today!” an online user commented.
“Mas [na-shock] ako sa grade 11, may sex videos na???” another wrote with a screaming emoji.
“Grade 11, may bembangan video, ang bata niyo pa… Imbis mag-aaral kayo, nagka-scandal,” a different Pinoy commented with facepalm emojis.
“Bakit kasi may ganyang videos ang mga bata? Weird kids…” another said.
“Wait, what? I get the issue about the repair man, but what? Grade 11?” another commented.
In the Philippines, Grade 11 students are typically 16 to 17 years old. Grade 11 is also the first year of Senior High School (SHS).
Meanwhile, Asueta said the police coordinated with the local social welfare office to ensure the proper handling of the two minors, who remain under their parents’ custody.
