How to File a Cyber-Blackmail Complaint for Non-Consensual Nude Images in the Philippines

(Updated 23 June 2025 – Philippine context)

Important: This article is for general information only and is not a substitute for personalized legal advice. If you are in danger, call 911 (national emergency hotline) or your nearest police station immediately.

1. Understanding the Problem

“Cyber-blackmail” occurs when someone threatens to publish, sell, or otherwise circulate your nude or sexually explicit images unless you pay money, send more images, meet in person, or do any other act against your will. In Philippine law the conduct can overlap several crimes:

Law	Relevant Offence	Short Description
R.A. 9995 (Anti-Photo and Video Voyeurism Act 2009)	§4(a)–(d) Capture, copy, sell, distribute or publish a photo/video showing private parts or sexual act without consent	Imprisonment: prisión correccional in its medium period (2 yrs 4 mos – 4 yrs 2 mos) to prisión mayor in its minimum period (6 yrs 1 day – 8 yrs) and fine ₱100 k – ₱500 k; higher if image is of a minor
R.A. 10175 (Cybercrime Prevention Act 2012)	§4(c)(1), §6 Threats, extortion, or any crime in RPC committed through ICT	1 degree higher than the underlying penalty (e.g., an Art 282 grave threat online becomes prisión mayor maximum, 10 yrs 1 day – 12 yrs)
R.A. 9262 (Anti-VAWC 2004)	§5(i) Threats or harassment causing mental/ emotional anguish to a woman or her child	Prisión correccional to prisión mayor + protection and civil damages
R.A. 11313 (Safe Spaces Act 2019)	Cyber-stalking / gender-based online sexual harassment	Fine ₱100 k – ₱500 k +/- imprisonment 2 yrs 4 mos – 4 yrs 2 mos
Revised Penal Code Art 282	Grave Threats (demanding money or imposing any condition)	Penalty depends on threatened wrong; if not a crime, arresto mayor (1 mo 1 day – 6 mos)
R.A. 9775 (Anti-Child Pornography 2009)	Possessing, distributing, or threatening disclosure of sexual image of a minor	Reclusión temporal (12 yrs 1 day – 20 yrs) + fine ₱500 k – ₱5 M
R.A. 10173 (Data Privacy Act 2012)	Unauthorized processing or malicious disclosure of personal data	Prisión correccional + fine up to ₱1 M

*Penalties shown are the basic ranges; fines and imprisonment can be increased for aggravated circumstances or if any crime is committed with the use of information and communications technology (ICT) per R.A. 10175 §6.

2. Elements You Must Prove

Existence of a nude / sexually explicit image that was taken, copied, or is in the possession of the offender.
Absence of your consent (or withdrawal of earlier consent).
Threat or demand (money, more images, sexual favors, etc.) communicated through any medium (chat, email, SMS, social media, gaming apps, VoIP).
Use of a computer system or digital device (to qualify under cybercrimes and increase penalties).
Intent to obtain gain or benefit, or to cause you injury, anxiety, humiliation, or harm.

You do not need to wait until the offender actually publishes the images. The threat itself is already punishable.

3. Where to Go and Who Has Jurisdiction

Agency	What it Handles	Location / Contact*
PNP Anti-Cybercrime Group (ACG)	Any cybercrime, especially extortion, sextortion, hacking	Camp Crame, Quezon City; satellite Regional Anti-Cybercrime Units (RACUs) in all regions
PNP Women & Children Protection Center (WCPC)	Gender-based violence, Anti-VAWC, Anti-Child Pornography	Camp Crame; also Women & Children Protection Desks (WCPDs) in all police stations
National Bureau of Investigation – Cybercrime Division	Complex / high-profile or cross-border cases	NBI Main, Taft Ave., Manila; NBI district offices
City / Provincial Prosecutor’s Office	Inquest or regular preliminary investigation; can accept direct filing if you already have a complete complaint-affidavit	Hall of Justice of your city/province
Barangay (for VAWC only)	Barangay Protection Order (temporary, within 24 h)	Your or offender’s barangay hall
National Privacy Commission (NPC)	Administrative complaint for privacy violation / data breach (parallel to criminal case)	PICC Complex, Pasay City; www.privacy.gov.ph

*Phone numbers, e-mail addresses and e-Report portals change; verify the latest details when you file.

Venue: Because cyber-blackmail is a continuing offense, you may file wherever you or your device was when you received the threat, where any part of the offense occurred, where the images are stored, or where you reside (R.A. 10175 §21).

If the offender is abroad, Philippine courts still have jurisdiction if any element happened here, or if the image involves a Filipino, per the extraterritorial clause of R.A. 10175 §21(b). Law enforcement will use Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty (MLAT) channels and INTERPOL notices.

4. Step-by-Step Guide to Filing a Complaint

Step 1 – Preserve and Organize Evidence

Take screenshots / screen recordings of chat threads showing the threat, username, time stamp, profile links, payment instructions.
Download the original files (photo/video) if possible so metadata is intact.
Copy URLs of posts, stories, cloud drives or accounts where the material was or may be uploaded.
Note device details: your phone/PC make, model, IMEI or serial, and IP address (Settings → About → Status).
Keep a narrative log (date, time, what was said, how you felt).
Backup everything on a flash drive or cloud folder that only you control.
Do not modify the files (cropping, renaming, editing) because this can break the chain of custody.

Step 2 – Secure Immediate Protection, If Needed

Deactivate or tighten privacy settings on affected accounts.
Report/takedown the offending profile/post to Facebook/Instagram (“Nudity”, “Sexual exploitation”) or X/Twitter (“Non-consensual nudity”), etc.
Request a Barangay or Temporary Protection Order under Anti-VAWC if the offender is an intimate partner. The barangay must issue a BPO within 24 hours free of charge.

Step 3 – Draft Your Complaint-Affidavit

Include:

Personal details (name, age, address, citizenship).
Statement of facts in chronological order.
Elements of the offense (cite R.A. 9995, R.A. 10175, Art 282, etc.).
List of evidence attached (Annex “A”, “B”…).
Prayer/relief (“I respectfully pray that criminal charges be filed… Issue a warrant of arrest… Order immediate takedown…”)
Verification and sworn statement (“I attest under oath…”).

Have the affidavit subscribed and sworn before a prosecutor or notary public. Bring a government ID.

Step 4 – Submit to Law-Enforcement or Directly to Prosecutor

Walk-in filing: Go to the PNP-ACG Complaint Desk or NBI. An investigator will record your sworn statement (you may use your own affidavit) and issue:
- IRF (Incident Record Form) or BLOTTER number (police).
- NBI Acknowledgment Receipt.
Online filing: PNP “E-Sumbong” or NBI “i-Report” portals allow uploading PDFs and media; you will still be scheduled for personal validation with original IDs/evidence.
Direct prosecutor filing: If you already have a notarized complaint-affidavit, file it at the Office of the City/Provincial Prosecutor. They will docket it and either:
- Inquest (if offender is already under arrest or the images are currently circulating), or
- Regular preliminary investigation (respondent given 10 days to submit counter-affidavit).

Step 5 – Digital Forensics and Chain of Custody

Investigators may clone your device or request you to sign a Consent to Search, Seize and Examine form. They will generate a Digital Evidence Seizure Receipt and compute hash values (e.g., SHA-256) to prove the files are unaltered. You may request a copy of the forensic report for court.

Step 6 – Prosecutorial and Court Processes

Subpoena is sent to respondent.
Resolution / Information: If probable cause is found, the prosecutor files an Information in the Regional Trial Court (RTC, Cybercrime Division) or Family Court (if a minor is involved).
Arraignment & Trial: Cybercrime RTCs are designated in every judicial region. Proceedings may include digital testimony (Rule on Electronic Evidence).
Protection & Restitution Orders: The court may order immediate takedown, asset freeze (GCash, PayPal), and award actual, moral, and exemplary damages.

5. Prescriptive Periods

R.A. 9995 / 11313 / 9262: 10 years from discovery of the offense (per R.A. 3326).
Cyber-crimes under R.A. 10175: 15 years for offenses punishable by prisión mayor or higher; 10 years for lower penalties (§8).
Grave Threats (Art 282): 10 years for “afflictive” penalty, 5 years for “correctional”.

The period stops running once a complaint is filed with the prosecutor or a warrant is issued.

6. Ancillary Remedies and Support

Civil Action for Damages (may be joined with the criminal case) under Civil Code Art 2176 (torts) and Art 2219 (moral damages for acts contrary to morals, good customs or public policy).
Data Privacy Complaint before the NPC (within one year from knowledge of violation). NPC may impose fines, order “Cease & Desist” or “Erase” directives to platforms.
Psychological, legal, and social services:
- DSWD Crisis Intervention Unit (24/7);
- Commission on Human Rights – Gender Ombud;
- UP Law-OJP, Free Legal Assistance Group (FLAG), Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP) Legal Aid Committee.
Educational Institutions must provide counseling and respect confidentiality for student-victims (DepEd DO 40-2012, CHED Memo 1-2019).

7. Special Considerations

a. If the Victim Is a Minor

Automatically covered by R.A. 9775 (Anti-Child Pornography) and R.A. 7610 (Special Protection of Children).
No consent defense is allowed; mere possession of the image is criminal.
The Inter-Agency Council Against Child Pornography (IACACP) can issue rapid takedown requests to ISPs within 24 hours.

b. If Images Were Originally Consensual (“Revenge Porn”)

The offender cannot invoke that you once consented to taking the photos. R.A. 9995 protects the privacy of the act; once consent is withdrawn any further sharing is illegal.

c. If the Offender Is Unknown (Anonymous User)

Provide all platform-generated headers or links.
PNP / NBI can apply for a Cybercrime Warrant to Disclose Subscriber Information (WDSI) or Warrant to Intercept (WICCD) under A.M. No. 17-11-03-SC.
The court may direct ISPs or social media companies to identify the IP address owner.

d. Overseas Platforms

Under R.A. 10175 §18, Philippine courts can order “Real-Time Collection” or “Takedown” even if the service is hosted abroad. Compliance is aided by MLAT or the Budapest Convention on Cybercrime (Philippines acceded 28 Feb 2018).

8. Frequently Asked Questions

Q1: Will the police charge a filing fee? A: No. Police blotters and criminal complaints are free. Notarization usually costs ₱100–₱150 unless done before the prosecutor (no fee).

Q2: Can I keep my identity confidential? A: Courts may allow closed-door hearings and seal records (Rule on Examination of a Child Witness; A.M. No. 04-10-11-SC), especially if you are a minor or if exposure will cause further harm.

Q3: What if I already paid but the blackmail continues? A: Do not pay again. Paying rarely stops the extortion and may encourage more. Report immediately; law enforcement can perform controlled delivery operations to catch the offender.

Q4: Can a settlement stop the criminal case? A: R.A. 9995 and R.A. 10175 are public offenses. Even if you and the offender reconcile, the prosecutor may still pursue the case in the interest of the State.

9. Practical Tips to Strengthen Your Case

Use timestamps: enable the date/time overlay when taking photographs of evidence.
Print-to-PDF entire chat threads in conversation view to preserve context.
Keep original SIM cards if text messages were used; telcos can issue a Certificate of Message Dated… upon subpoena.
Collect payment records (GCash transaction IDs, bank slips) to prove the demand for money.
Bring a companion (lawyer, social worker, friend) during interviews to avoid intimidation.
Follow up in writing (e-mail or letter) every 15–30 days and ask for the docket or case reference number.

10. Conclusion

Filing a cyber-blackmail complaint in the Philippines requires timely evidence preservation, the correct legal framework, and engagement with specialized cybercrime units. The law is firmly on the victim’s side: the Anti-Photo and Video Voyeurism Act, Cybercrime Prevention Act, Safe Spaces Act, and other statutes criminalize both the threat and the actual release of non-consensual nude images. Swift reporting greatly increases the chances of an effective takedown, arrest, and conviction.

If you or someone you know is experiencing sextortion or threats to release intimate images, act immediately—document the evidence, seek support, and file the complaint. You do not have to face the ordeal alone; Philippine law-enforcement agencies and victim-support organizations are mandated to help you regain control, dignity, and justice.