How to File a Cyberbullying Complaint in the Philippines
A practical guide to RA 10627 (Anti-Bullying Act), the Cybercrime Law (RA 10175), and related remedies
Quick take: In the Philippines, “cyberbullying” is handled in two tracks. (1) If it involves K-12 students or happens in a school context, use RA 10627 and your school’s Child Protection Committee (CPC) procedures. (2) If it happens outside school—or the conduct is criminal— use RA 10175 (Cybercrime Prevention Act) alongside the Revised Penal Code and other special laws (e.g., Safe Spaces Act, Anti-Photo & Video Voyeurism, Data Privacy Act). You can file with PNP Anti-Cybercrime Group (ACG), NBI Cybercrime and the city/provincial prosecutor.
1) What “counts” as cyberbullying under Philippine law?
In schools (RA 10627 + IRR): Bullying includes cyberbullying—any electronic act (posts, DMs, group chats, emails, memes, doctored photos, doxxing, impersonation, etc.) that causes or is likely to cause physical or emotional harm, fear of harm, hostile environment, or substantial disruption to school operations or a student’s rights. The school must have a written anti-bullying policy, reporting channels, investigation steps, and age-appropriate disciplinary measures.
Outside schools: “Cyberbullying” isn’t a single crime. Authorities look at what law the conduct violates, for example:
- Cyberlibel (online defamation) – RPC libel committed through ICT (RA 10175).
- Grave/Light threats, grave coercion, unjust vexation, slander by deed (RPC), if done online.
- Identity theft, illegal access, computer-related fraud/forgery (RA 10175).
- Gender-Based Online Sexual Harassment (GBOSH) (RA 11313, Safe Spaces Act)—unwanted sexual comments, threats, stalking, doxxing, misogynistic/homophobic slurs online.
- Anti-Photo and Video Voyeurism (RA 9995)—non-consensual recording/sharing of intimate images.
- Data Privacy Act (RA 10173)—unlawful processing/disclosure of personal data, doxxing that involves personal information.
- Child-specific laws when the victim is a minor: Anti-OSAEC/CSAEM (RA 11930), Anti-Child Pornography (RA 9775), RA 7610 (special protection of children), etc.
- VAWC (RA 9262)—if the abuser is a spouse/partner or dating partner; includes electronic harassment and stalking.
Key jurisprudence note: The Supreme Court has recognized the constitutionality of cyberlibel but generally limits criminal liability to the original author of a defamatory post (not mere “likers”/“sharers”), and struck down blanket government “takedown” powers without due process. Treat reposting/resharing cautiously—liability can still arise under other laws or fact patterns.
2) Which law and forum should you use? (Decision guide)
Is a K–12 student involved or did it affect school life? → Start with RA 10627: report to the school’s CPC (and Guidance/Principal). → If the act is also criminal (e.g., threats, sexual exploitation), report to PNP/NBI in addition to the school process.
No school context / adult victims / workplace / strangers online? → Identify the underlying offense (libel, threats, GBOSH, voyeurism, data privacy breach, identity theft, etc.). → File with law enforcement (PNP-ACG or NBI Cybercrime) and then prosecutor for criminal charges; consider civil remedies and, where applicable, protection orders.
Offender unknown (sockpuppets, fake accounts)? → You can still file a John/Jane Doe complaint. Investigators can pursue data preservation and seek court-authorized disclosures from platforms/ISPs to identify the perpetrator.
3) How to file inside the school system (RA 10627)
Who can report: the student, parent/guardian, any school personnel or student witness.
Where to report: Your Class Adviser/Guidance Office/Discipline Office or directly to the Child Protection Committee (CPC). Every basic education school must have one.
What to submit:
- A written incident report describing who, what, when, where, how, plus screenshots/recordings/URLs, account handles, and names of witnesses.
- For repeated conduct, a timeline (dates, platforms) and any medical/psychological reports (if applicable).
What the school should do (high-level):
- Acknowledge and document the complaint; secure evidence and protect the child from retaliation.
- Notify parents/guardians and conduct a prompt, impartial investigation (hear both sides; due process).
- Decide and implement age-appropriate interventions or discipline, guided by the Student Handbook and the Anti-Bullying Policy (could include counseling, behavior contracts, suspension, etc.).
- Refer to law enforcement when behavior appears criminal (e.g., threats, extortion, sexual images, stalking).
- Provide support services (counseling, safety planning) and monitor for recurrence.
- If the school fails to act, escalate to the Schools Division Office (DepEd), then Regional Office, and document all steps.
Tip: Keep copies of all school communications, CPC minutes (if provided), and notices. These help if you later go to PNP/NBI or court.
4) How to file a criminal cyberbullying case (outside/alongside school)
Step A — Prepare your evidence
- Preserve everything early: full-screen screenshots showing date/time, URL, account name/ID, and context (not just the offending line). Save original files (photos/videos/voice notes) and export chat logs (e.g., Messenger “Download Your Information”).
- Don’t edit originals; make working copies. Keep a simple evidence log: filename → what it is → when/how obtained.
- Note witnesses and any harm (panic attacks, missed classes/work, costs, consultations). Keep receipts and medical/psych reports if any.
Step B — Identify the offense(s)
- Match the behavior to possible crimes (see §6 below). You can allege multiple offenses in the alternative (e.g., cyberlibel and/or unjust vexation and/or GBOSH), and prosecutors will determine what sticks.
Step C — File with authorities
- Police blotter: Report at the nearest police station or PNP Anti-Cybercrime Group office; you’ll be guided to execute a sworn statement and turn over copies of evidence.
- NBI Cybercrime Division: Alternative to PNP; they likewise accept walk-ins and complaints with affidavits and digital evidence.
- Prosecutor (City/Provincial): File a Complaint-Affidavit with annexes. The prosecutor conducts inquest (if there’s an arrest) or preliminary investigation (with counter-affidavits, replies). If probable cause is found, an Information is filed in court.
Jurisdiction & venue (short guide)
- Courts: Specially designated RTC Cybercrime Courts handle cybercrime cases.
- Venue: Generally, any place where an element of the offense occurred. For cyberlibel, venue often includes the place where the offended party resided at the time of publication.
- If the offender is a minor: Criminal liability and procedures follow RA 9344 (Juvenile Justice and Welfare Act); expect diversion/DSWD involvement.
Barangay (Katarungang Pambarangay) — do you need it first?
- Many cybercrime offenses exceed the barangay’s jurisdiction or the parties reside in different cities, so KP is usually not required. When in doubt, ask the prosecutor; filing at the barangay for urgent criminal conduct can delay your case.
5) Parallel non-criminal routes you can use right away
Platform takedowns: Report the content/account to the platform (FB, X, TikTok, YouTube, Discord, etc.) using their abuse tools. Attach the same evidence package. (Government cannot order blanket takedowns without due process, but platforms can enforce their Terms of Service.)
Civil damages (Civil Code arts. 19/20/21): Sue for moral, exemplary, and actual damages; request injunction to stop ongoing abuse.
Data Privacy complaints (NPC): If your personal data was unlawfully processed/disclosed (e.g., doxxing), you may file with the National Privacy Commission.
Protection Orders:
- VAWC (RA 9262): If the harasser is a spouse, ex, or dating partner (including same-sex relationships), ask the barangay or court for Emergency/Temporary/Protection Orders covering electronic harassment and stalking.
- Workplace/School GBOSH (RA 11313): Use internal anti-sexual harassment mechanisms; employers/schools/online platforms have duties to act.
Writs: In severe cases, consult counsel on Writ of Habeas Data (privacy/informational injury) or Writ of Amparo (threats to life, liberty, security).
6) Common charges that fit “cyberbullying” fact patterns (non-exhaustive)
- Cyberlibel (RPC libel via RA 10175) — imputes a discreditable act/condition; publication (someone else saw it); identifiable victim; malice (presumed, but can be rebutted by good motives/justifiable ends). Defenses: truth plus good motives, qualified privilege, fair comment on matters of public interest.
- Threats (grave or light) — messages expressing intent to harm person/property.
- Grave coercion — compelling someone to do/omit something against their will through violence, threats, or intimidation.
- Unjust vexation — unwarranted, annoying conduct without lawful purpose (often charged for persistent harassment).
- Slander/Slander by deed — oral defamation; humiliating acts in public (can be committed via live streams/Spaces).
- Identity theft (RA 10175) — unauthorized acquisition/use of another’s identifying info to harm or defraud.
- Illegal access, data interference, system interference, computer-related fraud/forgery (RA 10175) — hacking, password theft, account takeovers.
- GB online sexual harassment (RA 11313) — unwanted sexual advances, comments, stalking, doxxing, threats online based on gender/sexuality.
- Anti-Photo & Video Voyeurism (RA 9995) — sharing intimate images without consent (even if consensually taken).
- Child-related offenses (RA 11930/RA 9775/RA 7610) — grooming, solicitation, sexualized images of minors, exploitation.
7) Evidence basics that make (or break) a case
- Capture full context: include profile pages, handles, message headers, and entire threads—not just the offending sentence.
- Show timestamps and URLs: display the device/OS clock, include permalinks, and take a second screenshot that shows the address bar (for web) or message info (for apps).
- Export data: use platform “download your data” tools; save metadata if available.
- Keep originals: don’t crop/annotate your master files; make copies for redaction.
- Chain of custody: list who collected each item and where it’s stored.
- Don’t engage: avoid retaliatory posts; they complicate libel/harassment analyses.
- Safety plan: adjust privacy settings, block/report, tell trusted adults/friends, and consider device-level protections (2FA, password changes).
8) Timelines and prescription (why you should act promptly)
- Defamation has short clocks. Traditional libel cases prescribe quickly (as little as one year under the RPC), and cyberlibel has been treated under a longer prescriptive period by some rulings due to its higher penalty as a special law. Because computations can vary by charge and penalty, file sooner rather than later.
- Other offenses have different prescription periods; threats and light offenses can run out fast.
- School procedures under RA 10627 typically require prompt reporting and investigation. Don’t let a school year lapse before acting.
9) Special situations
- Anonymous accounts / foreign platforms: You can still file. Investigators may seek data preservation and court-ordered disclosure. International service may take time—early filing helps.
- The bully is a minor: Focus on school measures, counseling, and (if criminal) diversion processes under RA 9344.
- Cross-border or diaspora cases: Jurisdiction can lie in the Philippines if any element occurred here (e.g., publication was accessed here, victim is here). Filing locally is still worthwhile.
- Workplace cases: Combine company policies (code of conduct/anti-harassment) with criminal/civil routes; HR must act under RA 11313.
- Intimate images (“revenge porn”): RA 9995 applies even if you consented to the recording—sharing without consent is criminal.
10) Practical checklists
A) For parents/guardians (student victims)
- Stabilize the child and document everything.
- Report to Adviser/Guidance/CPC in writing; attach evidence.
- Ask for the anti-bullying policy and the investigation timeline; request written updates.
- If there are threats/sexual images/identity theft, report to PNP/NBI immediately (parallel to the school case).
- Keep a log of incidents, meetings, and interventions.
- Escalate to Schools Division Office if the school is non-responsive.
B) For adult victims (or out-of-school cases)
- Preserve evidence (screens, URLs, exports).
- Identify the likely offenses (use §6 list).
- File with PNP-ACG/NBI; execute a Complaint-Affidavit and annex your evidence.
- Go to the Prosecutor’s Office (or follow instructions from police/NBI for preliminary investigation).
- Consider civil damages, Data Privacy complaint, and—if applicable—VAWC protection orders.
- Platform takedowns in parallel.
11) Template: Complaint-Affidavit (criminal)
Use this as a starting outline. Modify to fit your facts. Attach your evidence as Annexes A, B, C… and paginate.
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES )
CITY/PROVINCE OF _________ ) S.S.
COMPLAINT–AFFIDAVIT
I, [Name], Filipino, of legal age, [civil status], with address at [address], after having been duly sworn, state:
1. I am the complainant in this case against [Name/Unknown “John Doe”], account handle [@____], for violation of [e.g., Article 353 (Libel) in relation to RA 10175; Article 282 (Grave Threats); RA 11313 (GBOSH); RA 9995, etc.].
2. On [date/time], respondent posted/sent the following on [platform/app], accessible at [URL/link], visible to [public/friends/group of __ members]. Screenshots are attached as Annex “A-1” to “A-4”. The post states: “[quote or describe].”
3. The post/message refers to me as [explain identifiability], causing [emotional distress, reputational harm, safety concerns]. Medical/psychological report/receipts attached as Annex “B.”
4. I requested takedown on [date] (Annex “C”). Despite this, respondent continued [describe repeated acts] on [dates] (Annex “D-1” to “D-3”).
5. The foregoing acts constitute [brief legal characterization]. I respectfully pray that criminal charges be filed against [respondent] under [laws cited].
6. I am executing this affidavit to attest to the truth of the foregoing and to support the filing of appropriate complaints.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this ___ day of ______, 20__, in ___________, Philippines.
[Signature]
[Printed Name]
Affiant
SUBSCRIBED AND SWORN to before me this ___ day of ______, 20__, affiant exhibiting [valid ID details].
12) Frequently asked questions
Do I need a lawyer? Not to file, but a lawyer helps you frame the right offenses, observe prescriptive periods, and pursue civil damages. Free/low-cost help: Public Attorney’s Office (PAO), IBP Legal Aid, law school clinics, child-protection NGOs.
Can I be liable for “firing back” online? Yes. Counter-posts can spawn libel or harassment exposure. Document, report, and let the process work.
What if the post was already deleted? Your screenshots and platform data exports still matter. Investigators can request forensic logs and preservation from platforms/ISPs.
Will the bully go to jail? Penalties depend on the charge (fines to imprisonment). Many cases end in settlement, probation, or civil damages—outcomes vary by facts and evidence.
13) Final reminders
- Act early: short prescriptive periods and volatile online evidence make speed crucial.
- Be precise: the label “cyberbullying” isn’t enough—pin down the offense(s).
- Use parallel tracks: school + police + platform + civil/privacy as appropriate.
- Safety first: if there are credible threats, treat it as urgent; seek police help and, where applicable, protection orders.
This guide is legal information for the Philippine context—not legal advice. Laws, procedures, and designated courts evolve. For tailored guidance on your facts (and to meet deadlines), consult counsel or legal aid as soon as possible.