PNP: New protocols for social media evidence in crime cases after SC guidelines

The Philippine National Police is set to implement new protocols to “strengthen the handling of social media evidence in criminal investigations” after the Supreme Court issued guideposts on proving ownership and control of online accounts.

In a statement Sunday, PNP chief Police Lieutenant General Jose Melencio Nartatez explained that the guideposts provide clear standards that will help investigators ensure that evidence is properly authenticated. 

“This will help our investigators build stronger cases. For ongoing investigations, we will review digital evidence carefully while future cases will be handled more systematically and transparently when it comes to social media posts,” he said.

The SC issued seven guideposts to prove ownership or control of social media accounts in criminal cases following a conviction for psychological violence under Republic Act 9262 (Anti-Violence Against Women and Their Children). 

The guideposts include:

• Admission of authorship 
• Account access 
• Unique knowledge
• Language patterns 
• Records from providers or device forensics 
• Consistency with previous posts 
• Other indications of ownership or control

The PNP cited a case involving a man who repeatedly harassed his former girlfriend on Facebook after she blocked him. Despite his denials, the court found that the account posts came from him, citing profile photos, messages to her siblings, and other factors consistent with the seven guideposts.

The SC affirmed the man’s conviction, noting that proving the offender’s identity is crucial in social media-related crimes. The man was sentenced to up to eight years in prison, fined P100,000, and required to undergo psychological counseling or psychiatric treatment.

Nartatez said the guidepost reinforces due process in the digital age. 

“Ngayon, hindi na basta-basta makokondena ang isang tao base sa screenshot o post na maaaring peke o na-hack. It ensures that law enforcement and the courts follow clear procedures, which strengthens public trust in our justice system,” he said.

(Now, a person will no longer be condemned based on a screenshot or post that could possible be faked or hacked.)

To implement the said protocols, the PNP directed concerned police units to incorporate the SC’s guideposts into standard police procedures. 

In connection, the Anti-Cybercrime Group and regional cyber units are being equipped with advanced tools to trace, verify, and preserve digital evidence. 

The PNP is also establishing formal channels with social media platforms such as Facebook, Twitter/X, Instagram, and TikTok to facilitate timely verification of accounts involved in criminal cases.

Nartatez encouraged the public to report online crimes promptly and provide credible evidence such as screenshots with timestamps, URLs, or communication logs. 

“Tandaan, do not try to hack or access accounts yourself. I-report na lang ito sa pinakamalapit na police station or through our Anti-Cybercrime Group. The PNP will handle your reports professionally while protecting your privacy and safety,” he said. — RF, GMA Integrated News