January 17, 2025
MANILA – More voyeurism and online libel cases were logged in 2024, according to the Philippine National Police Anti-Cybercrime Group (PNP ACG).
Data from the anti-cybercrime police unit released on Thursday showed an 18 percent increase in cases of voyeurism, from 294 incidents in 2023 to 347 in 2024.
Voyeurism is defined as taking photos or videos of individuals engaging in sexual acts or of their private parts without their consent.
It is penalized by Republic Act No. 9995, or the Anti-Photo and Video Voyeurism Act of 2009.
READ: PNP partners with TikTok to boost drive vs online scams, exploitation
“The rise in photo and video voyeurism, particularly among former lovers, is largely driven by acts of revenge or emotional retaliation,” PNP ACG explained in a statement.
“The widespread availability of intimate content shared during relationships, combined with the ease of online distribution, enables such harmful behavior to proliferate,” it added.
Meanwhile, the PNP ACG’s data recorded a 3.9 percent increase in online libel—from 1,403 cases in 2023 to 1,458 incidents in 2024.
“This surge can be attributed to the growing use of social media and broader internet access, which has led to an increase in digital interactions where defamatory statements and false information often thrive,” the anti-cybercrime unit noted.
READ: PNP: cybercrime complaints down by 36 percent
According to the PNP ACG, the spike in cases of voyeurism and online libel came despite a decrease in cybercrime rates between 2023 and 2024, but this data has yet to be provided.
In the statement, ACG Director Brig. Gen. Bernard Yang told the public, “If you are a victim of online abuse, report it to us immediately for prompt action.”