Sharing that Esplanade video could be a crime

By Jennifer P. Rendon and Rjay Zuriaga Castor

ILOILO CITY – The Iloilo City Police Office has ordered an investigation into a viral video allegedly showing a couple engaging in an obscene act along a section of the Iloilo River Esplanade in Barangay Progreso, Lapuz district.

Iloilo City police chief Col. Wilbert Parilla directed police units to verify the video’s authenticity and identify the individuals involved.

He also ordered investigators to determine possible violations of national laws and local ordinances, and to coordinate with the appropriate government agencies, particularly if minors were involved.

Initial reports indicated that the video showed a man and a woman who appeared to be wearing school uniforms while engaging in an indecent act in a public place.

The ICPO appealed to the public to refrain from sharing, reposting, or circulating the video, saying that doing so could further compromise the privacy, dignity, and welfare of the individuals involved, especially if they are minors.

Mayor Raisa Treñas-Chu made the same appeal Tuesday, warning that continued circulation could cause further harm if minors are involved.

“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,” she said.

One of the individuals in the video had been identified as of Tuesday afternoon.

Once the identities are verified, Treñas-Chu said, the ICPO Women and Children Protection Desk and the City Social Welfare and Development Office will provide the appropriate interventions in accordance with existing laws and child protection protocols.

Republic Act No. 9995, or the Anti-Photo and Video Voyeurism Act of 2009, prohibits certain forms of nonconsensual recording, copying, distribution, publication, and broadcast of sexual images under circumstances in which a person has a reasonable expectation of privacy.

If minors are involved, Republic Act No. 11930, or the Anti-Online Sexual Abuse or Exploitation of Children Act, prohibits the production, possession, publication, transmission, and distribution of child sexual abuse or exploitation materials through online or offline means.

Authorities have not announced which specific laws, if any, may apply to the incident.

Parilla urged parents and guardians to strengthen supervision of their children, and encouraged families to promote responsible social media use.

“Choices have consequences. We remind everyone, especially the youth, that every action—whether done in private or in public—may affect their future,” Parilla said.

He asked the public to allow the proper authorities to address the matter in accordance with the law while respecting the rights and dignity of everyone involved.

The ICPO said public spaces such as parks and esplanades are intended for recreation, exercise, and community activity.

“Everyone is encouraged to observe proper conduct, respect public decency, and contribute to maintaining a safe, orderly, and responsible community,” Parilla said.

Treñas-Chu said she had ordered the section of the Esplanade where the alleged incident occurred to be cleaned.

She stressed that the section has yet to be turned over by the Department of Public Works and Highways to the Iloilo City government.

“We are also looking at additional measures to strengthen security and monitoring including the installation of CCTV cameras and deployment of Green Guards,” she said.

General Services Office head Neil Ravena said the city government has started coordinating with the Public Order and Safety Management Office and barangay officials to tighten security while the Esplanade remains under DPWH.

Ravena said the discussions include the possible deployment of barangay tanods until the facility is formally transferred to the city government.

The Esplanade was built by the DPWH in phases along the Iloilo River and has been turned over to the city government in segments rather than as a single facility, which is why portions of it remain under national jurisdiction.

The Iloilo River Esplanade is one of the city’s most visited public spaces and has been the site of several joint maintenance and security efforts between the city government and national agencies.