As Rama appeals to delete file, CIDG to probe sex scandal

CEBU, Philippines - Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama is urging all those who possess a downloaded copy of the most recent sex scandal involving a university student to delete it.

Rama's call came as the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG-7) steps into the case to prevent the video from further proliferating.

The mayor said that the spreading of the video should be stopped immediately as it causes so much embarrassment to the persons involved, especially the girl, who was still wearing her school uniform and ID.

 "I am challenging all who has a copy of it. If you still believe in humanity, delete it," Rama said.

Rama appealed to those who has copy of the video to be responsible and feel what a father could feel seeing his child on the sex video.

"They are victims. Ang nahitabo nila is so much embarrassment. We should not add up. Please give them a future," Rama said.

A psychologist warned that the incident could lead to a possible suicide of the people involved because of depression.

Emmanuel Hernani, psychologist and professor of the Cebu Normal University, said that exposure of the video to public scrutiny could create crisis to the girl's family.

Hernani explained that, without proper intervention, this could lead to depression, alcoholism, drugs, or worst to commit suicide.

"If ang stress dili ma-deal ug tarong it could lead to suicidal," he told The FREEMAN.

Although the guy involved could also feel the same but not as intense as that of the girl.

"Ang friends sa laki possible pa gani mo-appraise sa iyaha kay tungod sa iyang pagka-manly…ang impact tua gyud sa girl," Hernani said.

Hernani added that the scandal also affects the entire community of the university where the girl in the video came from.

"Though wala ka nagbuhat ana but you are of the same identity naa gyud ang ridicule kay dili gyud na kalikayan," he said.

CIDG-7 director Eddie Benigay has already instructed his men to help stop the video from spreading in the black market. Benigay ordered his personnel to check on the stalls at the sidewalks for possible copies of the video.

 "Atong i-check sa mga stalls kung naa na ba na siya and make sure that this will not spread," Benigay said.

Through the help of the Optical Media Board, Benigay vowed to confiscate possible copies of the video sold in the streets.

According to Benigay, they have done it before in the case of the late Ramgen Revilla and his girlfriend Janelle Manahan.

Benigay urged the girl in the video to file a complaint against those who uploaded the video on the Internet.

"Kung ang victim muduol sa ato ug magpatabang, kung mangayo siya ug hustisya sa gibuhat na kadaot sa iyang pagkatawo and as a woman, the CIDG will be more than willing to help her," Benigay said.

Benigay said the girl's boyfriend who owned the cellphone used to film their intimate moment together could face a case for violation of the Republic Act 9262 or the Anti-Violence Against Women and Children.

The person who uploaded the video on the other hand may be charged for violation of RA 9995 or the Anti-Photo and Video Voyeurism Act of 2009.

If it appears that the guy in the video was the same person who uploaded it, he will also be charged for RA 9995, Benigay added.

There were however speculations that the phone was stolen.— (FREEMAN)