1) What counts as cyberbullying vs. online harassment

Cyberbullying usually refers to repeated, hostile behavior online intended to embarrass, intimidate, threaten, or isolate a person. It often shows up in school settings, but adults can be targeted too.

Online harassment is broader and can include one-time or repeated conduct that causes fear, distress, or harm—whether personal, sexual, financial, reputational, or psychological.

Common forms seen in the Philippines:

Threats and intimidation (e.g., “Papapuntahan kita,” death threats, threats to harm family)
Defamation (false accusations, rumor posts, “expose” threads, edited screenshots)
Doxxing (posting address, phone number, workplace, school, IDs)
Impersonation (fake accounts, catfishing, pretending to be you to damage reputation)
Non-consensual intimate images (NCII) (sharing or threatening to share private photos/videos)
Sexual harassment online (lewd messages, repeated sexual comments, “rating,” unwanted sexual DMs)
Stalking / surveillance (persistent monitoring, sending “I know where you are” messages)
Extortion / sextortion (demanding money/sex to stop posting or to delete content)
Hate-based harassment (targeting identity, disability, religion, ethnicity, gender expression)

You can pursue remedies even if:

The bully uses anonymous/fake accounts
The content was posted outside the Philippines but impacts you here
The harassment happens in private messages, group chats, or “close friends” stories

2) Key Philippine laws that may apply (criminal, civil, administrative)

Online abuse is not governed by just one law; the correct legal route depends on what was done, who did it, and the context (school, workplace, intimate relationship, etc.).

A. Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012 (RA 10175)

This is the main “online” law. It covers cyber offenses and also “cyber” versions of certain crimes in the Revised Penal Code (like libel), when committed through a computer system.

Often used for:

Cyber libel (online defamation)
Computer-related identity offenses (e.g., certain forms of identity theft/impersonation)
Computer-related fraud (scams, fraudulent online schemes)
Illegal access / hacking (if the harassment includes account takeover)

It also provides law enforcement tools such as requests/orders to preserve certain digital data (useful when evidence may disappear).

B. Revised Penal Code (traditional crimes that still apply online)

Even if an act happens online, the underlying offense may still be prosecuted under the Revised Penal Code (RPC), depending on facts:

Grave threats / light threats (threatening harm, crime, or injury)
Coercion (forcing you to do something by intimidation)
Unjust vexation (broad “annoyance/harassment” concept; often cited, but fact-specific)
Slander / oral defamation (usually offline speech, but may overlap depending on circumstances)
Libel (defamation; for online posting this often becomes “cyber libel” under RA 10175)

C. Anti-Bullying Act of 2013 (RA 10627)

Applies primarily in basic education (schools). It covers bullying and cyberbullying in a school context and requires schools to:

Adopt anti-bullying policies
Investigate and take action
Provide interventions and protection to the victim

This is often an administrative/disciplinary pathway (school sanctions) alongside possible criminal complaints depending on the acts.

D. Safe Spaces Act (RA 11313)

This is highly relevant for online sexual harassment and gender-based harassment. It recognizes harassment in public spaces, workplaces, schools, and online environments, and provides penalties depending on the act.

Examples commonly falling here:

Unwanted sexual remarks, repeated sexual DMs
Sexist, misogynistic, homophobic/transphobic harassment
Persistent sexual advances online

E. Anti-Photo and Video Voyeurism Act of 2009 (RA 9995)

Covers recording, copying, distributing, or broadcasting private sexual content without consent, including content captured with expectation of privacy. This is a go-to law for many NCII cases (often alongside other laws).

F. Anti-Child Pornography Act of 2009 (RA 9775)

If the victim is below 18 or the content involves a minor, this can apply (and is treated seriously). Even “shared privately” can trigger liability.

G. Violence Against Women and Their Children Act (RA 9262)

If the harasser is a spouse/ex-spouse, dating partner/ex, or someone you have a child with, online abuse may qualify as psychological violence or related acts—especially threats, stalking-like conduct, harassment, humiliation, or controlling behavior.

This law matters because it enables protection orders and faster protective remedies in appropriate cases.

H. Data Privacy Act of 2012 (RA 10173)

If harassment involves unauthorized disclosure or misuse of personal information (IDs, address, phone number, workplace details, sensitive info), this can add another legal route—particularly against persons or entities mishandling data.

Complaints may be filed before the National Privacy Commission for certain violations.

3) Which remedy fits which situation (practical mapping)

1) “They posted lies about me / called me a thief / ruined my reputation”

Possible routes:

Cyber libel (RA 10175) and/or libel (RPC)
Civil action for damages (often alongside criminal complaint)

What matters:

Is it a factual allegation presented as fact (not just opinion)?
Can you identify the author/admin?
Is there malice, and what is your status (private individual vs public figure)?

2) “They threatened to hurt me / they said they’ll kill me / they’ll leak my photos”

Possible routes:

Grave threats / coercion (RPC)
If threat is to leak intimate images: RA 9995, possibly RA 11313, and other crimes depending on extortion

If imminent danger, treat as an emergency safety issue, not just a “report.”

3) “They shared my nudes / sexual video / private photos”

Possible routes:

RA 9995 (core)
If you’re a woman targeted by an intimate partner: potentially RA 9262
If online sexual harassment accompanies it: RA 11313
If minor involved: RA 9775

4) “They keep messaging me sexually / rating my body / sending dick pics / harassment on livestream”

Possible routes:

RA 11313 (Safe Spaces Act)
Workplace/school admin pathways if connected to those settings

5) “They posted my address, employer, phone number, IDs”

Possible routes:

Data Privacy Act (RA 10173) depending on source/handling and context
Threats/coercion if used to intimidate
Cybercrime-related avenues if linked to identity misuse

6) “This is happening in school (student to student, or involving teachers/staff)”

Possible routes:

School’s anti-bullying procedures under RA 10627
If it includes crimes (threats, NCII, extortion), a criminal complaint can run separately

4) Where to get help (Philippine complaint channels)

A. If you want a criminal complaint (police/NBI/prosecutor route)

You typically start with law enforcement for documentation and cyber assistance, then proceed to the prosecutor for filing.

Primary government units commonly approached:

Philippine National Police Anti-Cybercrime Group (PNP-ACG)
National Bureau of Investigation Cybercrime Division
Department of Justice Office of Cybercrime

What they can help with (depending on case and evidence):

Taking your complaint/affidavit
Advising what offense fits your facts
Coordinating preservation of data and investigative steps
Supporting referral to the prosecutor’s office for inquest or regular filing (as applicable)

B. If it’s school-related (administrative + protective response)

If the cyberbullying is connected to school life:

Report to the school’s child protection/discipline office
For basic education oversight and guidance, institutions may coordinate with Department of Education (DepEd)
For higher education contexts, coordination can involve Commission on Higher Education (CHED)

School processes are important because they can:

Stop contact quickly (restraining school access, class reassignments, discipline)
Preserve internal records (class group chats, school accounts, CCTV logs if relevant)
Provide counseling and protective measures

C. If it’s workplace-related (HR + Safe Spaces/harassment channels)

For workplace harassment:

Use internal HR/committee procedures (document all reports)
RA 11313 frameworks can be relevant to online sexual harassment linked to work

D. If it involves human rights concerns or systemic abuse

For serious patterns involving discrimination, abuse of authority, or rights violations:

Commission on Human Rights (Philippines) can be a support and referral channel (not a substitute for criminal prosecution, but relevant for certain cases).

E. If it involves personal data exposure

If your personal data was mishandled or unlawfully disclosed:

The National Privacy Commission can be a venue for certain privacy complaints (especially if an organization/controller is involved).

F. Platform-based reporting (fastest way to limit spread)

Separately from legal action, report to the platform:

Impersonation
Harassment/hate
Doxxing/personal info
NCII (often has expedited flows)

Platform reporting is not “legal action,” but it is often the quickest way to reduce harm while you prepare a case.

5) What to do first: evidence and safety (this can make or break a case)

A. Prioritize immediate safety

If there are credible threats:

Treat as urgent. Preserve evidence and seek immediate assistance from local authorities.

B. Preserve evidence properly (don’t rely on a single screenshot)

Best practice is to capture context + authenticity:

What to collect:

Screenshots showing the full post, username, date/time, and URL when visible
Screen recordings scrolling from the profile to the post/comments/messages
Direct links/URLs, group links, message permalinks
Full conversation threads (not just single messages)
Account identifiers: profile URL, user ID (if available), email/phone if shown
Witness statements (people who saw it before deletion)
If NCII: keep proof of where it appeared, who shared, and any threats/extortion messages

Avoid:

Editing images in ways that look manipulated
Posting the content again “to expose them” (it can amplify harm and complicate liability)
Deleting your own account before preserving evidence

C. Preserve “chain of custody”

In contested cases (especially libel/threats), authenticity is often attacked. Helpful steps include:

Keeping original files
Backing up to secure storage
Writing down a timeline (dates, accounts, platforms, what happened)
Considering a notarized affidavit describing what you saw and how you captured it; in some situations, parties also seek third-party documentation to strengthen credibility

6) How the complaint process typically works (Philippine practice)

While specifics vary by city/province and by the exact offense, the general flow is:

Prepare a narrative and timeline One document: who, what, when, where (platform), how it harmed you, and what evidence supports each point.
Execute a complaint-affidavit This is your sworn statement attaching exhibits (screenshots, links, message logs).
File with an investigative office / law enforcement Often Philippine National Police (through ACG units) or the NBI cybercrime office.
Referral/filing with the prosecutor Many cases proceed through the prosecutor’s office for determination of probable cause.
Respondent identification and data requests If the perpetrator is anonymous, identification may depend on lawful processes directed at platforms/telecoms, and on what identifying traces exist.
Resolution and possible court proceedings If probable cause is found, the case proceeds; if not, it may be dismissed or refiled with additional evidence, depending on the reason.

7) Special situations

A. Minors: victim or respondent

If the victim is a minor, or the offender is a minor, child-protection procedures and the juvenile justice framework may shape:

How interviews are conducted
What school interventions are required
What diversion or interventions are considered

B. Group chats, “private” posts, and closed groups

Harassment in “private” spaces can still be actionable. Privacy settings do not automatically legalize threats, extortion, voyeurism, or targeted harassment.

C. “It was just a joke” / “freedom of speech”

Speech protections exist, but they are not a shield for:

Threats and coercion
Non-consensual intimate image distribution
Targeted sexual harassment
Defamation presented as fact (subject to defenses and context)

D. Public figures vs private individuals

Standards can differ (e.g., scrutiny, fair comment, public interest considerations). These issues are fact-heavy; the same words can be treated differently depending on context, intent, and whether the statement is framed as verifiable fact versus opinion.

8) Remedies beyond criminal prosecution

Depending on your situation, you may pursue:

Administrative remedies (school discipline, workplace sanctions)
Civil claims (damages for reputational harm, emotional distress, etc.)
Protection orders in intimate-partner contexts (where applicable)
Data privacy actions (especially when personal information was unlawfully processed/disclosed)
Platform takedowns and repeat-offender reporting

Often the most effective strategy is parallel action: platform reporting + administrative controls + a properly documented legal complaint.

9) Quick guide: “Where should I report?”

Threats / stalking / coercion / extortion / impersonation / hacking-related harassment → PNP-ACG or NBI Cybercrime Division, then prosecutor
Non-consensual intimate images / voyeurism / sextortion → NBI Cybercrime Division or PNP-ACG; consider RA 9995, possibly RA 9262/RA 11313 depending on facts
Online sexual harassment (persistent lewd comments/DMs, gender-based harassment) → Workplace/school mechanisms + possible RA 11313 complaint; law enforcement for severe cases
School cyberbullying (students, school community) → School admin process under RA 10627; law enforcement if threats/NCII/extortion are involved
Doxxing/personal data exposure (especially involving organizations) → National Privacy Commission (as applicable) + law enforcement if threats/extortion accompany it

10) Important practical notes (Philippine context)

Speed matters. Posts get deleted, accounts get renamed, and logs expire. Early preservation is crucial.
Identity tracing is not automatic. Anonymous accounts can sometimes be identified, but it depends on available records and lawful processes.
Not every hurtful statement is a crime. The law distinguishes between insults/opinion and punishable acts like threats, coercion, voyeurism, and defamatory factual imputations—details matter.
Choose the right “hook.” Many complaints fail because they’re filed under the wrong offense or lack key elements; match your evidence to the legal elements.

This article is general legal information for the Philippine setting and is not a substitute for advice on a specific case.