Women warned vs. student 'pick-up artists' in malls

A group teaching men how to be effective "pick-up artists" in shopping malls is in hot water after several women have accused its members of sexual harassment.

A special report by GMA News' Ivan Mayrina on Unang Balita on Tuesday said some women have taken to social media to narrate their encounters with members of Pick-Up Artists (PUA) Academy.

One victim said PUA members, who were armed with hidden cameras, would approach their "victims" and engage them in conversation until they got their phone numbers.

"Isa silang buong team," said "Bianca." "Naggi-game sila inside the mall, ibig sabihin ginagawa yung mga natuturo sa seminars."

"Pag may nakita silang babae sa mall na naglalakad, either maganda or not, lalapitan nila yan. Kukunin nila yung number but first sasabihin nila, 'You look like my mother, you look like my sister.' Lahat sasabihin nila para ma-approach nila yung babae. Then kukunin nila yung number, then kitain the next day. Aayain nila mag-date, aayain nila makipagtalik," she added.

The women were also warned of having their sensitive photos taken as these photos are usually used by the group for their "lay reports."

"May video, may hidden camera inside the room. Iti-threat yung babae kapag nagsalita. They should stop doing this kasi hindi puwedeng yung legal sa ibang bansa gagawin mong legal dito sa Pilipinas just because gusto mong tumaas yung confidence ng mga lalake," Bianca said.

Officials of PUA Academy, meanwhile, said their goal is to study the psychology of women and to teach men how to be "attractive." They also said the hidden camera videos are used for demonstration purposes to show how effective their teachings are in boot camps.

Vince Edgar, PUA coach and content creator, said they don't consider the women they approach "victims."

"We don't consider them victims because we don't teach our students to victimize people. We encourage, kasi nga ano, mayroon silang social anxiety, mga introvert. We encourage them to interact to people, not to victimize," he said.

Edgar said the negative feedback they are getting may be from women who had unpleasant relationships with their students.

"Hindi ko alam kung anong klaseng victim yung sinasabi nila, kung yung mga biktima ba na iyon yung mga na-freak out dahil in-approach sila or yung mga nagsasabi na may nakilala silang PUA tapos iniwan sila," he said.

"Sa isang relationship naman kasi hindi mo naman masasabing victim ang isa sa party. Kung di nag-work yun," Edgar added.

GMA News tried contacting the management of malls where the meet-ups reportedly take place, but they have yet to issue a statement.

Philippine National Police chief Director General Oscar Albayalde, meanwhile, said they have heard of such incidents but have yet to receive a formal complaint.

"Wala sigurong masama sa pagpakilala ng isang lalake sa isang dalaga na medyo siguro na-attract. Ang masama diyan of course is yung meron kang gagawin na hindi maganda and after that iiwanan mo," Albayalde said.

Albayalde urged women to report to authorities suspicious men who approach them. —KBK/KG, GMA News