Gatchalian calls for probe into alleged hidden cameras in Airbnbs in the PH
Senator Sherwin "Win" Gatchalian is calling for an investigation into the alleged use of hidden cameras in some Philippine Airbnb units to blackmail guests.
During a joint public hearing on Thursday, Sept. 4, he stated that he has received information about guests being secretly recorded in Airbnb accommodations.
"Mayroong nirefer sakin yung ibang Airbnb may hidden cameras, dito sa atin. Mayroong maliliit na cameras all over the place or apartment," Gatchalian shared during the hearing.
"Ang modus nila, obviously irerecord nila yung video, tapos mangbablack mail, kung hindi ka magbabayad, ia-upload. Kung magbabayad ka, hihingian pa ng marami. So hindi matatapos yung hingi nang hingi," he explained.
Gatchalian also highlighted an even more concerning threat: high-resolution cameras that could capture sensitive information.
"Kapag gagamitin mo yung laptop mo, makikita nila yung password mo, makikita nila yung personal information mo, and they will use your personal information to do other illegal things," he elaborated.
A friend reportedly told Gatchalian about organized groups operating this scheme across multiple Airbnb units and similar establishments. "So tingin ko umuubsbong palang itong modus eh," Gatchalian noted.
He expressed particular concern for families, including children, who are unknowingly being filmed while changing or sleeping.
"Kawawa yung mga pamilya," he lamented, pointing out that the perpetrators often use fake SIM cards and likely fake emails, making them extremely "difficult to trace."
'Emerging threat'
The Cybercrime Investigation and Coordinating Center acknowledged being aware of such alleged schemes. However, CICC Assistant Secretary Renato Paraiso stated that a formal investigation has not yet been opened because no victims have officially come forward.
"We have heard about this kind of modus operandi being done. Unfortunately, wala pang nagre-report sa amin. Again, this type of case is personal in nature because they violate yung ano, but again, yes, we've heard chatter," he said.
The assistant secretary added, "Unfortunately, we cannot investigate because no one comes forward with actual cases of them being victimized."
Ultimately, Gatchalian emphasized the urgency of bringing this to the public's attention as he believed that this incident is an "emerging threat to our families here in the Philippines."
"I am bringing this to your attention, to put this on your radar kasi nangyayari na yan dito sa ating bansa, and apparently itong mga victims ay families, may bata [na] nagpapalit ng damit, matutulog sila na vinivideohan, tapos binablackmail,” he noted.
