Warrants out for Usapang Diskarte data, says PNP

A Manila court has granted two warrants to disclose computer data against a Facebook and YouTube account targeting women and minors, the Philippine National Police (PNP) said Tuesday.

The warrants order Facebook and YouTube to release subscriber information, chats, images, and other content posted on social media on the accounts of the channel Usapang Diskarte.

The PNP Anti-Cybercrime Group (PNP-ACG) said it has also endorsed the cyber-warrants to the Department of Justice Office on Cybercrime for implementation.

“After we forward this, we will wait for the data to be transmitted to us. This can include thousands of images, information on the account owner as well as their subscribers, chat logs, and other information,” Police Lieutenant Colonel Irene Cena of the PNP Women and Children Cybercrime Protection Unit said.

“We expect this investigation to be heavy,” she added.

GMA News Online has sought reactions from Meta and Google — parent companies of Facebook and YouTube, respectively — regarding the warrants, but they have yet to respond as of posting time.

In July, YouTube and Meta closed down the Usapang Diskarte channel along with its affiliate Facebook page and group for violating their community standards and following complaints.

Meta earlier denounced the activities in the channel, saying it has “no place” on their platforms.

Meanwhile, PNP-ACG acting director Police Brigadier General Joel Doria urged the public to come forward if they have any information about the Usapang Diskarte account.

“I encourage people who may have information about ‘USAPANG DISKARTE’ and people who felt they were abused by the viral post to come forward and come to us. We are here to help you,” Doria said.

“I also commend all our Cybercops and of course our personnel from WCCPU for your untiring efforts. In spite of our limited number of personnel you continue to show dedication to your duty to serve and protect”, he added.

According to the PNP, the account created and uploaded content promoting sexual abuse and exploitation of children. It said it had 250,000 subscribers “connected to a group of sexual predators who equates macho with being abusive.”

Meanwhile, Senator Risa Hontiveros lauded the PNP and the DOJ, saying she was glad to see the agencies’ hard work to protect children.

Hoping that the news about the warrant against Meta and Google will encourage the victim survivors to come forward.

— risa hontiveros (@risahontiveros) August 30, 2022

“Hoping that the news about the warrant against Meta and Google will encourage the victim survivors to come forward,” she said. —KBK/RSJ, GMA News