On July 25, 2025, at about 6:30 PM in Quezon City, operatives of the Quezon City District Anti-Cybercrime Team (QCDACT) conducted an entrapment operation that resulted in the arrest of a 27-year-old man, alias “Baste,” for committing grave coercion through a social media platform.

The operation stemmed from a complaint filed by a 25-year-old woman against the suspect whom she previously had an intimate relationship that ended in April 2025 due to the latter’s obsessive behavior and extreme jealousy.

Following their breakup, the suspect began harassing and threatening the victim. He used their private sex videos to emotionally manipulate her, repeatedly threatening to share the explicit content online unless she agreed to rekindle their relationship.

The investigation further revealed that the suspect pressured the victim into engaging in sexual acts by threatening to release the video as leverage. The suspect also attempted to sabotage her current romantic relationship and repeatedly threatened to “ruin her life” as a form of revenge for leaving him. This prompted the victim to report to the authorities.

“Baste” is facing charges for violation of Article 286 (Grave Coercion) of the Revised Penal Code and RA No. 9262 (Anti-Violence Against Women and Their Children Act of 2004) both in relation to Section 6 of RA No. 10175 (Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012).

This operation supports the pillars of Police General Nicolas D. Torre III, Chief of the PNP, to ensure that anti-cybercrime laws are fully implemented and violators are promptly penalized. Police Brigadier General Bernard R. Yang, Acting Director of the PNP Anti-Cybercrime Group (ACG), commended the operatives for the successful operation. He also stressed to the public, “We call on everyone to stay vigilant, to never tolerate any form of coercion or threats, and to report such incidents to the nearest ACG office so we can act swiftly and hold offenders accountable.”