On March 25, 2025, at 1:50 PM in Midsayap, North Cotabato, operatives of the Regional Anti-Cybercrime Unit 12 (RACU 12) conducted an entrapment operation that led to the arrest of a 32-year-old American national, identified as alias “Joe,” for grave coercion and threat against his girlfriend.

The operation stemmed from the complaint filed by a 29-year-old female victim with RACU 12 against his former partner for coercing and threatening both her and her family.

According to the victim, she met the suspect online. Later on, the suspect traveled from California to the Philippines, and they lived together for nearly three months. However, when he began exhibiting abusive behavior, even recording some of their private sexual encounters without her consent, she ended their relationship. Subsequently, he threatened to kill her family and distribute their intimate videos unless she agreed to reunite with him. During the arrest, the suspect, under the influence of liquor, attempted to grab the issued short firearms of one of the arresting officers.

“Joe” is facing charges for violations of Articles 282 (Grave Threat) and 286 (Grave Coercion) of the Revised Penal Code, RA No. 9995 (Anti-Photo and Video Voyeurism Act of 2009), and RA No. 9262 (Anti-Violence Against Women and Their Children Act of 2004), all in relation to Section 6 of RA No. 10175 (Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012).

The operation aligns with the directive of Police General Rommel Francisco D. Marbil, Chief of the PNP, to take immediate legal action and ensure that cybercriminals do not have a place on social media platforms. Police Brigadier General Bernard R. Yang, Acting Director of the PNP Anti-Cybercrime Group (ACG), lauded RACU 12 for the successful operation. “The use of explicit photos and videos to manipulate and threaten women will not be tolerated. The PNP ACG stands firm in its mission to hold perpetrators accountable and protect the vulnerable from online abuse,” he said.