Anti-cybercrime team nabs man for ‘sextortion’

The anti-cybercrime team of the Quezon City Police arrested a man for “sextortion,” after he asked his former partner P1,500 for him to take down the alleged sex video he uploaded on social media, authorities reported Sunday.

Quezon City Police District Director Chief Superintendent Joselito Esquivel Jr. identified the suspect as Albert Escovilla, 39, a resident of Barangay Sto. Domingo, Cainta, Rizal.

According to the police, Escovilla’s 37-year-old former livein partner sought help from the QCPD Anti-Cybercrime Team morning of July 31.

The complainant, who asked for anonymity, told police that Escovilla threatened that he will post their sex video on social media which he secretly recorded when they were still living together, if she refused sex with the suspect.

As the complainant was hesitant with the deal, Escovilla hacked her Facebook account and sent the video to the victim’s relatives.

Escovilla then demanded 11,500 to continue their sexual relationship or he will not delete the video.

This prompted the victim to seek police assistance. The police immediately set an entrapment operation against the suspect, enticing him to meet his former partner near his house in Cainta, Rizal last August 3.

At about 2:48 p.m., anti-cybercrime operatives with the personnel of Cainta Municipal Police Station set the deal at a food hub, along A. Bonifacio Avenue, in Barangay Sto. Domingo, Cainta, Rizal.

Upon receiving the entrapment money, authorities immediately arrested the suspect.

Recovered from his possession were genuine 11,500 bills, and a cellular phone.

Escovilla is currently detained at the QCPD and will be charged with extortion, RA 10175 or the Anti-Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012, RA 9995 or the Anti-Photo and Video Voyeurism Act of 2009 and RA 9262 or the Anti-Violence against Women and Children Act of 2012.