22-year-old nabbed for blackmailing 13-year-old with lewd video

The Philippine National Police Anti-Cybercrime Group 4A in General Trias, Cavite arrested a 22-year-old man who blackmailed a 13-year-old girl by threatening to spread her nude video if she would not give him money.

According to John Consulta’s report on “24 Oras” on Wednesday, Kelvin Lobas met and courted the girl online during the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) lockdown.

“Mga bandang June nagkakilala sila. Nahulog ang loob nitong minor victim natin sa suspek hanggang sa hiningan na po siya ng maselan na video,” PNP-4A Regional Anti-Cybercrime Unit operations chief Police Captain Mariz Datiles said.

Police said the suspect began threatening the victim in November.

“Tinatakot po siya na ‘pag hindi siya maggawa ng bagong video aside sa naunang video, gagawa po siya ng masama laban sa pamilya niya at ikakalat niya rin po ‘yong dalawang videos na sinend niya sa family at saka sa mga kaibigan,” Datiles said.

Lobas will face charges for robbery-extortion, grave coercion, child abuse and violation of the Anti-Photo and Video Voyeurism Act.

The PNP advised parents to guide their children when it comes to people online.

“Ituro rin po natin sa kanila na ‘wag kumausap o ‘wag tumanggap ng friend requests na hindi naman po talaga nila kilala. Sa new normal po natin, ang tinatarget ng cybercriminals are children who are the most vulnerable and unaware,” Datiles said. -- Ma. Angelica Garcia/BAP, GMA News