ILOILO City – Police are tracing the source and online distributors of a viral video showing two college students having sex at the Iloilo River Esplanade in Barangay Progreso, Lapuz district, warning that even those who merely forwarded or reposted the footage could face legal consequences.
City officials are concerned that the viral video could tarnish the reputation of the Iloilo River Esplanade, a landscaped riverside park and promenade stretching across several sections of the city. Frequently visited by residents and tourists for walking, jogging, sightseeing and leisure activities, the esplanade has helped strengthen the city’s image as a clean, vibrant and livable urban center.
The Iloilo City Government ordered the immediate cleanup of the public space and moved to install closed-circuit television cameras, deploy Green Guards and intensify patrols.
Iloilo City Police Office (ICPO) spokesperson Police Major Shella Mae Sangrines confirmed that the incident occurred on the afternoon of July 27 and involved college students. Their identities and ages are being withheld while the investigation continues.
Sangrines appealed to the public to stop sharing the video, stressing that those who recorded, uploaded or repeatedly circulated it could be held liable depending on the investigation’s findings.
“These children are also victims. While there may be issues regarding their actions, they should not be subjected to further humiliation through social media. The proper course of action is to report the incident to the Women and Children Protection Desk, the police, or the city government — not to make the video viral,” Sangrines said.
She warned that recording people without their consent and disseminating the material online could have legal implications.
“The act of recording someone without their knowledge and then uploading or forwarding that video, especially if the intention is simply to make it go viral, may have legal implications. People should understand that social media is not exempt from the law,” she said.
Investigators are examining possible violations of the Data Privacy Act of 2012 if the students’ identifiable images were processed and distributed without a lawful basis and in a manner that infringed on their privacy rights.
Police are also determining whether captions, comments or statements accompanying the video could constitute cyber libel under the Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012.
If either or both students are found to be below 18 years old, authorities may consider possible violations of the Special Protection of Children Against Abuse, Exploitation and Discrimination Act, particularly if the video subjected them to exploitation, ridicule, humiliation or psychological harm.
The possible application of the Anti-Photo and Video Voyeurism Act of 2009 is likewise being evaluated based on the nature of the recording, consent and the circumstances under which the footage was taken and circulated.
“These are all being evaluated because every case has its own circumstances. We cannot immediately conclude that a specific law has been violated, but these are among the legal provisions being examined as part of our investigation,” Sangrines explained.
She said those who did not record the incident but knowingly helped spread the footage may also come under investigation.
“People often think that because they did not take the video, they cannot be held accountable. That is not always the case. If the act of sharing contributes to the continued spread of material that violates the rights of another person, especially a child, there may also be legal consequences,” she said.
The ICPO Cybercrime Response Team is assisting Police Station 8 in identifying the person who recorded the incident and tracing how the footage spread online.
“Our cybercrime investigators have the technical capability to determine the source of the video and establish how it was disseminated. We are pursuing that aspect of the investigation,” Sangrines said.
Mayor Raisa Treñas said the city government immediately cleaned the area even though the Department of Public Works and Highways has not formally turned it over to the local government.
She also said the city is considering additional measures to prevent similar incidents in public parks and open spaces.
“We need to strengthen security and monitoring, including the installation of CCTV cameras and the deployment of Green Guards,” she said.
General Services Office head Engr. Neil Ravena said he recommended the installation of surveillance cameras at Esplanade 11 because only Esplanades 1 and 2 currently have CCTV systems.
Despite the absence of a formal turnover, Ravena said the city could not simply leave the area unmonitored.
“We will maintain its cleanliness, coordinate with the Green Guards for regular patrols, and seek the assistance of the barangay in monitoring the area because this is still a public space frequented by residents,” he said.
“This is not just about installing CCTV cameras. It’s about making sure our public parks and esplanades remain safe, orderly, and suitable for families, joggers, cyclists, and everyone who uses these spaces responsibly,” he added.
Treñas also appealed to social media users to stop circulating the footage.
“I appeal to the public to please stop sharing and spreading the video. Let us not further circulate content that is inappropriate and potentially harmful,” the mayor said.
“Our Iloilo City Police Office is already on top of the investigation. We will allow the proper authorities to complete their investigation in accordance with the law,” she added.
Once the students are identified, the city’s social welfare and child protection offices will provide the necessary assistance.
“Our priority is to ensure that the proper interventions are provided while protecting the welfare and rights of those involved,” Treñas said./PN
