Filing a Police Blotter for Voyeurism Committed by Minors in the Philippines

A comprehensive legal and procedural guide (updated to August 2025)

1. Governing Statutes

Law	Key Provisions Relevant to Voyeurism by Minors
Republic Act (RA) 9995 – Anti-Photo and Video Voyeurism Act of 2009	Criminalizes capture, copying, sale, distribution or public exhibition of images of a person’s intimate parts taken without consent and under circumstances where privacy is expected. Penalty: prisión correccional (6 months + 1 day – 6 years) and ₱100 000–₱500 000 fine.
RA 9344 as amended by RA 10630 – Juvenile Justice and Welfare Act (JJWA)	Sets the minimum age of criminal liability at 15; 15–<18 data-preserve-html-node="true" yo offenders are “Children in Conflict with the Law” (CICL) subject to diversion or court proceedings depending on discernment and offense gravity.
RA 7610 – Special Protection of Children Against Abuse, Exploitation and Discrimination Act	Classifies sexual abuse—including voyeuristic exploitation—as child abuse with higher penalties.
RA 9775 – Anti-Child Pornography Act	If images involve minors (either victim or subject), possession and dissemination triggers stiffer penalties and cyber-tipline duties for ISPs.
RA 10173 – Data Privacy Act	Imposes confidentiality requirements on personal information (photos/videos) collected as evidence.
RA 10364 – Expanded Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act	May apply if images are produced or sold for commercial gain.

2. Where the Offense Is Recorded

Barangay Blotter – Many complainants first approach the Barangay for mediation; for voyeurism, barangay officials usually immediately refer the matter to the Philippine National Police (PNP) because the offense carries imprisonment > 1 year (Sec. 408, Local Government Code).
Police Blotter (PNP Station Logbook/System) – The official chronological record. Entry triggers incident number, initial classification under “RA 9995” or “RA 9775,” and assignment to a Women and Children Protection Desk (WCPD) investigator.
PNP Anti-Cybercrime Group (ACG) or NBI Cybercrime Division – Receives referral when digital forensics (device imaging, takedown requests) are needed.

3. Step-by-Step Procedure for Filing

Stage	Actions & Forms	Special Rules for Suspect Who Is a Minor
A. Intake & Blotter Entry	1. Complainant gives verbal narration; desk officer writes summary in blotter. 2. Officer issues a Case Assignment Control Number (CACN) and Referral Slip to WCPD. 3. Complainant signs the blotter entry to confirm accuracy.	Minor’s name or other identifiers must be coded (e.g., “AAA, 16 YO”) to protect identity (Sec. 60, JJWA; PNP Manual on Handling CICL, 2022).
B. Sworn Statement / Affidavit-Complaint	Executed before the investigator or prosecutor; attach screenshots, devices, or links as Annexes with hash values recorded.	Parents/guardian and social worker must be present during any statement of the minor suspect (Rule 24, JJWA IRR).
C. Evidence Preservation	- Seize recording device under chain-of-custody form (NPS Form 22). - Apply for warrant to disclose or real-time collection under the Cybercrime Prevention Act if content is online.	Devices owned by minor suspect may be retained but rehabilitation needs are considered; forensic copy is taken while original may be returned sooner upon court order.
D. Cursory Investigation & Assessment of Discernment	- WCPD interviews minor suspect with lawyer or social worker present. - Discernment interview form (JJWA Annex A) determines if child understood wrongfulness. - If without discernment → automatic diversion.	Interview room must be child-friendly (PNP Standard Operating Procedure 2018-006).
E. Prosecutorial Disposition	Inquest (warrantless arrest) or regular preliminary investigation within 15 days. Prosecutor decides on: 1) dismissal, 2) diversion, 3) filing of Information in Family Court.	Family Court may order diversion proceedings (victim’s consent required) or impose suspended sentence, counseling, community-based rehabilitation.
F. Court & Protective Measures	- Temporary Protection Order (TPO) under RA 7610 if victim is a child. - Court may order psycho-social intervention and media gag order.	After judgment, conviction results in commitment to Regional Rehabilitation Center for Youth (RRCY) or Bahay Pag-asa; maximum confinement: 3 years or until age 18, whichever is longer, then suspended sentence may be lifted.

4. Rights of Parties

Victim	Minor Suspect (CICL)
• Confidentiality of identity, images, medical & psycho-social records (RA 9995 §6; Data Privacy Act). • Free legal assistance (PAO), medical exam, trauma counseling. • Right to be informed of diversion or plea bargaining.	• Presumption of non-detention (Sec. 15, JJWA). • Right to parental or guardian presence, diversion, speedy disposition. • Records expunged after case dismissal or sentence completion (Sec. 64, JJWA).

5. Special Considerations

Overlap with Cybercrime Prevention Act (RA 10175) – Filing under RA 9995 does not preclude prosecution for cyber-libel or unauthorized access if hacking facilitated the capture.
Consent & “Sexting” – Even if both parties are minors and “consenting,” recording or sharing intimate images still violates RA 9995; consent is not a defense when privacy expectations exist.
Mandatory Reporting – Teachers, counselors, or ISPs who discover voyeuristic material depicting minors must report to law enforcement within 48 hours (RA 9775 §9).
Administrative Liability – School officials who fail to act may incur liability under DepEd Child Protection Policy (DepEd Order 40-2012).
Civil Damages – Victim may file a separate civil action for moral and exemplary damages; Family Courts can award within the criminal case (Rule 111, Revised Rules of Criminal Procedure).
Restorative Justice – Diversion options include written apology, counseling, community service ≤ 200 hours, attendance in anti-sexual harassment seminars. Successful completion leads to case dismissal.

6. Practical Tips for Complainants

Secure Evidence Early – Screenshot timestamps, URLs, and chat logs; avoid sharing them online to protect chain-of-custody.
Go to Any Police Station – Jurisdiction is flexible for cyber-offenses (Rule 110 §15(c)); nearest station is acceptable.
Request WCPD Officer – They are trained in child-sensitive interviewing and digital evidence handling.
Ask for a Copy of the blotter entry and CACN; follow up with the investigator for the case progress schedule mandated under PNP Patrol Operations Procedure §13.
Coordinate with DSWD or LGU social worker for psycho-social services—for both victim and offender if classmates or neighbors.

7. Sample Blotter Entry Template (for guidance)

Date/Time: 02 Aug 2025 – 14:30  
Complainant: Maria L. Reyes, 17, Student  
Suspect: “AAA”, Male, 16 (CICL)  
Narrative: Complainant reported that on 01 Aug 2025 at 12:15 PM inside the female restroom of Amihan Senior High School, suspect AAA allegedly placed a mobile phone above the cubicle wall and recorded a video while complainant was changing clothes, without her consent.  
Offense: Violation of RA 9995 (Voyeurism); CICL under RA 9344  
Action Taken: Case referred to WCPD for investigation, impoundment of Samsung A54 with serial no. …, and coordination with PNP-ACG for forensic imaging. Social worker Ms. B. Santos notified.  
Desk Officer: PO2 Juan Dela Cruz

(Complainant’s signature)

8. Key Take-Aways

Voyeurism is a stand-alone crime under RA 9995; when minors commit it, JJWA safeguards apply.
Police blotter entry is merely the first procedural step but critical for documenting the incident and triggering child-sensitive protocols.
Diversion and rehabilitation are prioritized over punitive detention for minors, but serious or repeated violations can still lead to Family Court conviction and confinement.
Confidentiality is paramount for both victim and offender; improper disclosure carries criminal and administrative sanctions.

Victims and guardians should not hesitate to file a blotter even if devices have been wiped or the video already circulated online—the act of unauthorized recording itself already consummates the crime.