Around GMA

NBI searches Cabral's Baguio hotel room
Sarah Discaya, 8 others detained at jail in Mactan, Lapu-Lapu City
Gabbi Garcia reveals PCOS diagnosis, champions body positivity

Article Inside Page

Showbiz News

In a letter to 'Startalk,' Paolo said there are bigger issues aside from what's in the video.
By REGINA BENGCO
 
Actor and TV host Paolo Bediones called for an end to the spread of the sex video that is the subject of extortion and blackmail attempts against him.

In a statement sent to Startalk, Paolo said: “Those who aren’t involved would just muddle the issue. There are bigger issues of extortion and blackmail, invasion of privacy, and violation of the anti-cybercrime law that need to be addressed. Let us all just help put a stop to this.”

Spreading photos and videos of a sexual act is punishable by imprisonment of three to seven years or a fine of P100,000-P500,000 or both under the Anti-Photo and Video Voyeurism Act of 2009.

Last July 31, Paolo reported the extortion attempts against him to the PNP Anti-Cybercrime Group. Prior to this, rumors have been circulating about a sex video involving a television personality.

Startalk reported that the video was five years old and was stored in Paolo’s laptop. Paolo received the blackmail letter three months after he took the computer to a repair shop. The letter even had a cell phone number.

When he ignored the threats, the video started circulating.

Startalk also talked to model and aspiring actress China Roces, who denied that she was the girl in the video with Paolo.

“Paolo is my friend. Hindi po ako ‘yun,” China told Startalk’s Butch Francisco.

“Para po sa mga nagpakalat sa video or sa mga taong akala or pinagbibintangan na ako po ‘yung nasa video na kasama sa scandal ni Paolo Bediones, sana please stop bullying me,” she said, tears welling up in her eyes.