A 23-year-old college student was caught using his mobile phone to take upskirt photos of the owner of a Korean grocery store in Muntinlupa.
In a “24 Oras Weekend” report by Jonathan Andal on Sunday, CCTV footage showed the man asking a woman, identified as the store owner, for assistance in preparing instant noodles.
When the woman turned her back, the suspect immediately positioned his phone beneath her skirt and allegedly took photos. The victim said she felt something brush against her back, prompting her to face the customer.
“Parang may dumaplis sa likod ko, tapos pagharap ko po ‘yung camera ng cellphone niya naka-open po,” the complainant said.
(It felt like something brushed against my back, and when I turned around, his phone camera was open.)
She immediately checked the CCTV footage and subsequently reported the incident to barangay personnel to confront the man.
The victim said the suspect claimed he had already deleted the photos when questioned by local authorities.
“Tinanong po siya, ‘Asan ‘yung cellphone mo?’ Tapos sabi niya, ‘Na-delete ko na, na-delete ko na po,’” the complainant said.
(He was asked, ‘Where is your phone?’ Then he said, ‘I’ve already deleted it, I’ve already deleted it.)
“Edi kinuha nung barangay security ‘yung cellphone niya. Sabi po nung barangay security sa kaniya,’Oh, na-delete mo na, ah.’ Tapos binalik din po sa kanya ‘yung cellphone niya,” she added.
(So the barangay security took his phone. The security officer said to him, ‘Make sure you’ve already deleted it.’ Then they returned the phone to him.)
At the barangay hall, the victim said the man admitted to the act and confessed that it was not his first time doing so.
When the store owner reviewed earlier CCTV footage to verify his statement, the man was seen doing the same thing on multiple occasions.
The owner expressed disbelief over the incident, noting that the student had been a regular customer for three years.
“Umiiyak po ‘yung mamaya niya. ‘Yung estudyante po, nagso-sorry po siya,” the victim recalled when she confronted the student and his mother at the barangay hall.
(His mother cried and the student kept saying he was sorry.)
“Patawarin ko na raw po ‘yung anak nila kasi masisira daw po ‘yung pag-aaral, pero sabi ko po, ‘Ma’am, naiintindihan ko po kayo pero ‘yung ginawa po ng anak ninyo hindi ko po mapapatawad. Magkakaso po ako,’” she added.
(The mother asked me to forgive her son so his studies wouldn’t be ruined, but I said, ‘Ma’am, I understand where you’re coming from, but I cannot forgive what your son did. I am filing charges.’)
GMA News sought comment from the suspect’s family, but they declined, stating they wished to consult their lawyer first.
According to Barangay Police Officer Alexis Patnugot, the suspect’s family expressed willingness to take responsibility for his actions, but objected to the victim posting the CCTV footage of the incident on social media, where it had gone viral.
“Bali yung sa side naman po ng nirereklamo, willing naman daw po silang panagutan ‘yung anuman ‘yung nagawa ng kamag-anak nila. Pero, ‘yung pagpo-post po sa social media, doon po sila against.” Patnugot said.
(On the respondent’s side, they said they are willing to take responsibility for whatever their relative did. However, they are against the posting of the footage on social media.)
The store owner said she immediately reported the matter to the Muntinlupa Police on the night of the incident last Wednesday. The police chief declined to comment to GMA News.
The victim confirmed that she has already filed a formal complaint with the prosecutor’s office.
“Panawagan ko po sa mga kababaihan o sa kahit anumang gender— ’pag may bumastos sa inyo, magsalita kayo, huwag kayong manahimik kasi sobrang hirap,” the complainant urged the public.
(My appeal to women and to anyone of any gender—if someone disrespects or harasses you, speak up. Do not remain silent because carrying that burden is extremely hard.) — Vince Angelo Ferreras/BM, GMA
