'Online stalker' in Pasig arrested for sexual harassment

A 41-year-old man was arrested in an entrapment operation in Pasig City for alleged gender-based online sexual harassment against a woman, the Philippine National Police - Anti-Cybercrime Group (ACG) said Tuesday.

At a press conference, ACG chief Police Brigadier General Wilson Asueta said the suspect identified as “Paco” was arrested on Sunday.

“We have operation conducted by our Eastern District Anti-Cybercrime Team wherein one individual was arrested… Ito ay gender-based online sexual harassment,” Asueta said.

The complainant, a 21-year-old student identified as “Amy,” said the harassment began in August 2022 when she was still 17 years old.

According to the victim, the suspect was her former neighbor who first contacted her through Facebook, sending messages and an explicit video.

Amy blocked Paco but the suspect continued contacting her over the years using different social media accounts. 

The suspect offered the victim money in exchange for sex in September 2023; February 2025; and February just this year.

Amy coordinated with authorities which launched the entrapment operation against the suspect during their meeting on Sunday.

Charges have been filed against the suspect for gender-based online sexual harassment under the Safe Spaces Act, as well as grave coercion under the Revised Penal Code in relation to the Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012.

“Ito ay pinapakita natin na dapat pangalagaan natin ang dignidad at karangalan ng isang babae… Hindi dapat binabastos ang mga babae kahit sa online platform,” Asueta said.

(This shows us that we must protect the dignity and honor of a woman... Women should not be abused even on online platforms.) —VAL, GMA Integrated News