Sextortion—a form of cyber-enabled extortion where a perpetrator threatens to release sexually explicit images or videos of a victim unless they provide money, further sexual favors, or other concessions—is a grave criminal offense in the Philippines. As digital interactions increase, so do the opportunities for bad actors to exploit victims through "love scams" or webcam blackmail.

The following guide outlines the legal framework, the rights of the victim, and the specific steps for reporting these crimes within the Philippine jurisdiction.

I. Legal Framework: What Laws Apply?

In the Philippines, sextortion is not prosecuted under a single "sextortion law" but is instead covered by a combination of several robust statutes:

Republic Act No. 10175 (Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012): This is the primary law. It penalizes Identity Theft, Cyber-Libel, and Computer-related Extortion. Under Section 4(c)(4), any person found guilty of cyber-libel or extortion via a computer system faces significantly higher penalties than traditional crimes.
Republic Act No. 9995 (Anti-Photo and Video Voyeurism Act of 2009): This law makes it illegal to take, record, or distribute photos or videos of a person’s "private area" or sexual acts without their consent, even if the victim originally consented to the recording.
Republic Act No. 11313 (Safe Spaces Act or "Bawal Bastos" Law): This covers gender-based online sexual harassment, including the uploading or sharing of any form of media that contains photos, voice, or video with sexual content without the victim's consent.
The Revised Penal Code (RPC): Specifically Article 294 (Robbery with violence or intimidation) and Article 353 (Libel), which can be applied in conjunction with the Cybercrime law.

II. Immediate Steps for Victims

If you are currently being blackmailed, your immediate actions are crucial for both your safety and the eventual prosecution of the offender.

Stop Communication: Do not send money or more images. Paying often leads to "re-extortion," as the perpetrator now knows you are willing to pay to keep them quiet.
Preserve Evidence: Do not delete the chat logs.

Take screenshots of the threats.
Save the profile URL of the perpetrator.
Record any bank account or mobile wallet numbers (GCash/Maya) they provide for payment.

Secure Your Accounts: Change your passwords and update privacy settings on all social media platforms to prevent the perpetrator from contacting your friends or family.

III. How to Report to Philippine Authorities

There are three primary agencies equipped to handle cyber-blackmail in the Philippines:

1. PNP Anti-Cybercrime Group (PNP-ACG)

The ACG is the specialized unit of the Philippine National Police.

Location: Camp Crame, Quezon City (or regional satellite offices).
Process: You can file a "walk-in" complaint or message them via their official Facebook page. They can assist in "entrapment operations" if the perpetrator is local.

2. NBI Cybercrime Division (NBI-CCD)

The National Bureau of Investigation handles high-level digital forensic investigations.

Location: NBI Headquarters, Taft Avenue, Manila.
Process: You can file a formal complaint or use the NBI Cybercrime Complaint Portal online.

3. Department of Justice (DOJ) Office of Cybercrime

The DOJ-OOC provides legal assistance and coordinates international requests if the perpetrator is located outside the Philippines.

Email: cybercrime@doj.gov.ph

IV. Reporting on Social Media Platforms

Most platforms have specific reporting mechanisms for "Non-Consensual Intimate Imagery" (NCII).

Facebook/Instagram: Use the "Report" tool specifically for "Harassment" or "Nudity."
StopNCII.org: This is an international tool (supported in the Philippines) that allows you to proactively "hash" (digital fingerprint) your images so they can be automatically blocked from being uploaded to major platforms.

V. Table of Penalties (Summary)

Offense	Relevant Law	Potential Penalty
Photo/Video Voyeurism	R.A. 9995	3 to 7 years imprisonment + Fine
Online Sexual Harassment	R.A. 11313	Fine and/or Imprisonment
Cyber-Libel	R.A. 10175	6 to 12 years imprisonment
Extortion	Revised Penal Code	Prisión mayor (6 to 12 years)

Legal Note: The Philippine government treats these cases with strict confidentiality. Victims of sextortion are protected under the law, and law enforcement is trained to handle these sensitive cases without victim-blaming.

Would you like me to draft a formal demand letter or a template for a sworn statement to be used in a cybercrime complaint?