MANILA, Philippines — Miss Universe 2018 Catriona Gray has taken legal action against whoever was responsible for uploading her alleged photoshopped naked picture on social media.
Gray appeared yesterday at the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) headquarters in Manila to file a complaint against the uploader of her photo, which she said was “digitally altered.”
Accompanied by lawyer Christopher Allan Liquigan, the beauty queen arrived at the office of NBI Deputy Director Vicente de Guzman Jr. at around 12:30 p.m.
After a meeting with De Guzman, Gray signed a complaint affidavit, which was received by cybercrime division chief Vic Lorenzo.
Liquigan said they sought the NBI’s assistance to track down the person who uploaded the fake photo, which aims to “tarnish Gray’s reputation.”
“It has come to our attention that alleged photos and other posts of Catriona Gray circulated online. These have been spread by people on social media accounts,” Liquigan said. “We want to inform the public that these photos are fake.”
The lawyer said they would coordinate with the NBI to hold the person accountable.
Asked if they knew the person behind the fake photo, Liquigan replied, “that’s what we want to find out.”
Liquigan said he would bring to the NBI the altered pictures and videos of Gray, which the bureau could use in the investigation.
Gray’s naked pictures and two steaming videos went viral on social media last week.
Lorenzo said they want to find out the timeline of the posting of the photos and videos.
The NBI said the uploader of the photos may face charges for violation of Republic Act 10175 or the Cybercrime Prevention Act.
DTI ambassador
The Department of Trade and Industry named Gray as ambassador of the DTI’s “One Town, One Product” or OTOP program, which aims to promote goods made by micro, small and medium enterprises.
During the conferment ceremony yesterday, Gray was given a certificate and token by Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez.
As the new face of OTOP, the beauty queen will be working with 64 weaving communities from different regions as well as 47 designers in promoting the use of local designs, textiles and patterns in modern fashion.
Gray will hold a virtual fashion show to showcase the designs of local weavers.
“We would like to thank Catriona Gray for extending her goodwill for this partnership with the DTI,” Lopez said.
Earlier this year, Gray was named ambassador of the National Commission for Culture and the Arts. – Louella Desiderio