PHILIPPINE National Police Anti-Cybercrime Group director (PNP-ACG), Brigadier General Sydney S. Hernia on Thursday warned vloggers and content creators that they will be held liable for their prohibited acts, particularly prank videos.

The top cybercop issued the warning amid the viral ‘Kidnapping Prank’ video made by three vloggers known as Tukomi Brothers which he said highlights the potentially dangerous consequences of irresponsible content creation.

The official said that as social media and online platforms continue to grow in popularity, content creators have an ever-increasing reach and influence. And while prank content can be entertaining and amusing, some creators are taking it too far and creating dangerous, harmful, or illegal content, he added.

According to the PNP-ACG director, they have observed an increase in the number of incident reports of vloggers staging dangerous pranks such as fake robberies or attacks which have caused fear and panic in public places, disrupted public services, and endangered the safety of others.

These pranks have the potential to lead to serious injuries or even fatalities, and those involved in staging them could face criminal charges, Brig. Gen. Hernia said.

“We take this issue seriously and will hold those responsible accountable for their actions. Vloggers must be aware that their content can significantly impact the publicand ensure that they are not putting anyone’s safety or well-being at risk,” said the official.

Brig. Gen. Hernia said they have initiated a request for the takedown of the viral ‘Kidnapping Prank’ video amid concerns raised by different groups and the PNP leadership headed by General Benjamin C. Acorda Jr.

“The prank has caused considerable distress to those who witnessed it, and the video must be removed from all platforms,” he said.

The official also urged the public to report any content they believe may be harmful or dangerous. “By working together, we can create a safer and more responsible online environment for everyone,” he said.

PNP Public Information Office chief, Colonel Redrico A. Maranan earlier said that the PNP-ACG has asked Facebook to take down ‘prank crime’ videos made by a group of vloggers in Metro Manila.

“The PNP-ACG is closely watching the activities of these so-called Tokomi vloggers and will be coordinating with Facebook to take down their videos where they are shown engaging in prank crimes,” said the official.

Col. Maranan said that the Las Piñas City Police Station is also still waiting for the resolution of the initial criminal complaint recommended against the group of vloggers who were monitored to be unrepentant and are even boasting to make more similar videos in the future since they have some five million viewers.

“We are asking everybody not to engage in similar acts which tend to cause public chaos and confusion and worse, end up in violence,” said the PNP-PIO chief.

He was referring to a kidnapping prank hatched by the Tokomi vloggers in Las Piñas City last April 6 which went awry after an off-duty agent of the PNP Integrity Monitoring and Enforcement Group (PNP-IMEG) confronted them at gunpoint sending the social media personalities into panic after realizing they might be shot by the officer.

It turned out that off-duty IMEG personnel, Staff Sergeant Ronnie Conmingo was buying a construction item at a hardware store along Saging Street, Phase 2, Barangay CAA in Las Piñas City around 4 p.m. last April 6 when a black Toyota Vios suddenly stopped near him and three of its occupants, all wearing black bonnets suddenly alighted from the vehicle.

The bonnet-wearing men quickly grabbed a man clad in a sando and short pants and dragged him inside their vehicle prompting the 51-year old SSgt. Conmingo to identify himself as a cop while pulling out his service firearm.

“I thought I was witnessing a real kidnapping incident and had to do my duty to save the victim,” the policeman told the Journal Group in the vernacular.

He said that he was about to fire at the rear wheel of the suspects’ car when suddenly, one of the men who was about to enter the door beside the car driver shouted ‘Sir, this is just a prank’ while raising his arms in surrender.

The other occupants of the car and another person taking a video of the incident also did the same thing and asked for forgiveness from the PNP-IMEG officer.

SSgt. Conmingo did not let the pranksters simply get away with their offense and sought the help of the Las Piñas City Police Station in filing criminal charges against the suspects.

Las Piñas City police chief, Colonel Jaime O. Santos said that a criminal complaint for alarm and scandal was filed against the vloggers before the Office of the City Prosecutor last April 11.

The accused were identified as members of the Tokomi Vlog identified as Mark Lester San Rafael, Mark Hiroshi San Rafael and one alias ‘Jay,’ all with postal address at no. 5 Crispin Street in Crismarcel Subdivision, Talon 2, Las Piñas City, one Eleazar Steven Fuentes of Block 15, Lot 13, Papaya St. in Bgy. CAA and an alias ‘John Doe.’ All remained at-large.

Local police investigation showed that Fuentes approached one volunteer ‘tanod’ from their neighborhood identified as John Oral and asked him to be a part of their prank video.

San Rafael was identified as the one taking the video of the prank.

A bystander managed to take a video of the April 6 incident which went viral after being uploaded on Facebook.