Latest news with #CybercrimePreventionActof2012
GMA Network
08-07-2025
- GMA Network
NBI seizes over P30 million worth of unregistered vapes in Laguna
The unregistered vape products were found in a storage facility in Sta. Rosa, Laguna. Photo: NBI Agents of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) seized over P30 million worth of unregistered vape products in Laguna, bureau director Jaime Santiago said Tuesday. 'Hindi registered. Substandard. Walang permit. Pati 'yung bahay na ginawang bodega, walang permit sa Sta. Rosa,' Santiago said in a press briefing. (These were not registered. Substandard. No permits. Even the warehouse did not have a permit in Sta. Rosa.) According to the NBI, undercover agents met with three sellers, who led them to a storage facility located in a residential area to complete the transaction. Once there, they showed the products, consisting of 40,500 pieces of vape worth P31.9 million and 3,880 pieces of vape pods worth P640,200. The three individuals were then arrested for violating the Vaporized Nicotine and Non-Nicotine Products Regulation Act, in relation to the Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012. They have been presented for inquest proceedings, according to the NBI. Meanwhile, Santiago advised the public to refrain from buying products from random outlets. 'Isang paraan, 'wag kayo bumili sa mga basta-basta lang na outlet. Pumunta kayo sa mall kasi sa mall, hindi pumapayag ang malalaking mall na magkaroon ng stall doon na ang binebenta ay illegal,' he said. (One way is to avoid buying from just any random outlet. Go to the mall because major malls do not allow stalls that sell illegal goods.) For its part, the Department of Trade and Industry said that illicit vape products can be identified through a lack of license marks as well as tax stamps or required fiscal marks from the Bureau of Internal Revenue. The DTI said illicit vape products may also have flavors that unduly appeal to minors and improper 50% graphic health warning. —KG, GMA Integrated News
GMA Network
07-07-2025
- GMA Network
NBI, DTI arrest five over P8.1-M illegal vape distribution in Manila
NBI Director Jaime Santiago (right) and NBI Regional Director Ferdinand Lavin (left) present the five suspects arrested. NBI Authorities arrested five individuals for illegal vape distribution in Manila and seized unregistered items amounting to P8 million, the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) announced Monday. According to the NBI, a team of the NBI and the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) arrested the five individuals in an entrapment operation in Santa Cruz, Manila on July 3. They confiscated 25,653 vape products with a market value of P8,164,570. The NBI said one of the suspects was reportedly using media platforms to market unregistered vape products, which is a violation of the Vaporized Nicotine and Non-Nicotine Products Regulation Act. Meanwhile, the five were presented for inquest proceedings before the Manila City Prosecutor's Office for violation of the Vaporized Nicotine and Non-Nicotine Regulations Act, in relation to the Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012 as well as violation of the Consumer Act of the Philippines, in relation to the Cybercrime Prevention Act. The bureau said the arrested individuals are currently under the custody of the NBI-Security Management Division. —KG, GMA Integrated News
GMA Network
04-07-2025
- GMA Network
2 men arrested in Las Piñas for selling fake money online
Two suspects were arrested in Las Piñas City for selling fake money online, the Anti-Cybercrime Group (ACG) of the Philippine National Police said Friday. In a statement, the ACG said the suspects, identified as 18-year-old 'Usa' and 30-year-old 'Agila,' were arrested in an entrapment operation on Wednesday. This was in response to the report from the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) regarding the online sale of counterfeit banknotes. The Northern District Anti-Cybercrime Team conducted cyber patrolling and caught a social media post by one of the suspects offering a counterfeit P1,000 bill for only P150. Seized from the suspects were 150 fake P1,000 bills sold for P22,500 during the operation. The suspects are facing charges for illegal possession and use of false treasury or banknotes and other instruments of credit under Article 168 of the Revised Penal Code in relation to Section 6 of the Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012. 'The sale of counterfeit currency online undermines our financial system and exploits the trust of unsuspecting citizens. Let this serve as a warning to those attempting to use the internet to circulate fake money,' ACG chief Police Brigadier General Bernard Yang said. 'The PNP ACG is actively monitoring these platforms and will act decisively to bring offenders to justice as we remain committed to protecting the public and preserving the integrity of our currency,' he added. —Joviland Rita/ VAL, GMA Integrated News
GMA Network
10-06-2025
- Entertainment
- GMA Network
Pura Luka Vega acquitted by Manila RTC
Pura Luka Vega, also known as Amadeus Fernando Pagente, has been acquitted by the Manila Regional Trial Court. In a 20-page decision dated June 10, the Manila RTC Branch 184 acquitted the artist of charges of violating Article 201 (2)(b)(3) and (2)(b)(5) of the Revised Penal Code in relation to the Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012 (RA 10175). Article 201 penalizes "immoral doctrines, obscene publications and exhibitions, and indecent shows." Judge Czarina Samonte-Villanueva penned the decision. 'Wherefore, premises considered, for failure of the prosecution to establish guilt beyond reasonable doubt, Amadeus Fernando Pagente, also known as Pura Luka Vega, is hereby acquitted for violation Article 201 (2)(b)(3) and (2)(b)(5) of the Revised Penal Code, in relation to Republic Act 10175," the ruling read. On X (formerly Twitter), Pura Luka Vega also shared this part of the ruling and said 'Thank you for this wonderful news." "One more case left. Laban lang,' the drag artist added. Thank you for this wonderful news. ???? One more case left. Laban lang. ???????? — Pura Luka Vega ???? (@puralukavega) June 10, 2025 In its ruling, the Manila court said, 'Though the prosecution fell short of the required quantum of proof in the prosecution of the criminal case, the Court takes this opportunity to remind Pura Luka to be circumspect in his choice of medium or subject of his performances as a drag artist taking into account the society he belongs to. It is basic in the concept of social coexistence." 'This is not to curtail his freedom or rights nor to regulate his acts to belong to a presumed majority but more to be compassionate on the community as a whole, especially with the accessibility of social media which makes it easy to record, upload and circulate materials which are readily available for consumption of the public," it added. The court also ordered the release of the bond amounting to P72,000 that Pura Luka Vega posted for their provisional liberty. In August 2023, the Hijos Del Nazareno, devotees of the Black Nazarene, filed a complaint against Pura Luka Vega over their viral "Ama Namin" drag performance, while dressed in Jesus Christ's likeness back in July 2023. In their complaint, the group said the artist's "acts and actuations constitute a direct attack on our Lord, our God and savior, Jesus Christ." In an exclusive interview with GMA News Online in July 2023, the artist said that their "intent was to embody a version of Christ that is one with the queer audience."In August 2023, In October of that year, Luka was arrested after complaints were filed against them due to the same viral performance. They were also declared persona non grata in various cities like Manila, Cebu City, General Santos City, Laguna, and many more. Their fellow drag artists mounted a fundraising show to help with the bail and raised P892,975.60 in donations. Luka was released on bail after three days in jail. In December 2023, Luka celebrated the dismissal of "at least one" case filed against them.—Nika Roque/CDC/VBL, GMA Integrated News
GMA Network
03-06-2025
- Entertainment
- GMA Network
Darryl Yap pleaded not guilty in Vic Sotto's cyberlibel case — lawyer
Director Darryl Yap on Tuesday pleaded not guilty in the cyberlibel case filed against him by actor-host Vic Sotto, his lawyer confirmed. The arraignment was at the Muntinlupa Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 203. Atty. Raymond Furtun, Yap's legal counsel, said that the next hearing will take place on August 19, Tuesday. Yap was charged for libel under Article 353 and 355 of the Revised Penal Code, as amended in relation to violation of the Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012 The case stemmed from the teaser of the Yap's upcoming film, 'The Rapists of Pepsi Paloma,' released last January 1, wherein the character of Gina Alajar (who is portraying Charito Solis) asked the lead actress portraying Pepsi Paloma if she was raped by actor-host Vic Sotto. The lead character replied, 'yes.' Sotto's camp has denied the allegations against him. —AOL, GMA Integrated News
