Man charged for ‘sextortion’

MANILA, Philippines — Criminal charges were filed against a man who was arrested in Pasig City for alleged “sextortion” in Pasig City, the police Anti-Cybercrime Group (ACG) said yesterday.

ACG director Brig. Gen. Bowenn Joey Masauding said John Pacana, 24, underwent online inquest proceedings at the Quezon City prosecutor’s office for grave threat, grave coercion and violation of Republic Act 10175 or the Cybercrime Prevention Act.

Pacana was arrested in an entrapment operation at a hotel in Pasig at around 11:15 p.m. on July 15, Masauding said in a statement.

The suspect is accused of threatening a 19-year-old woman he met on Omegle, a social media networking site.

According to investigators, Pacana allegedly offered the woman P3 million and a condominium unit if she gives in to his demands.

The woman’s problems started when she sent nude photographs of herself to the suspect.

She lodged a complaint at the ACG after the suspect contacted her on Facebook Messenger and threatened to kill her and her family as well as expose her naked photographs if she would not have sex with him.