The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) finds it gravely disturbing that, in pursuit of clout and increased engagement, some content creators would resort in pranks that violate a number of human rights, including right to privacy, security, and safety, especially of women and members of the LGBTQIA community.

Videos have reached CHR’s attention showing content creators setting up situations in public spaces captured by hidden cameras where men would lay their heads on women’s laps; holding their hands out of nowhere; catcalling; and even soliciting kisses citing a number of made-up reasons. These incidents should not be just dismissed.

One cannot use humour to mask attempts to demean, assault, and abuse others through unwarranted sexual advances. This is how gender-based violence is normalised—by depicting it as commonplace, innocent, and acceptable.

CHR, as the country’s Gender Ombud, continues to assert the spirit and wisdom of pieces of legislation protecting women and even the LGBTQIA community, such as Republic Act (RA) No. 11313 or the Safe Spaces Act (Bawal Bastos Law). Section 4 of RA 11313 particularly explains that the “crimes of gender-based streets and public spaces sexual harassment are committed through any unwanted and uninvited sexual actions or remarks against any person regardless of the motive for committing such action or remarks.” And as crimes, there are offenses with penalties of fine and/or arrests. Republic Act No. 9710 or the Magna Carta of Women likewise carries a provision on the non-discriminatory and non-derogatory portrayal of women in media and film to help instil respect and recognition of the inherent dignity of women among the general public.

As such, CHR reminds everyone that one cannot exercise their rights at the expense of other people’s rights. Individuals have the obligation to respect and uphold the rights pf others. Similarly, we call on relevant government agencies, such as the Cybercrime Investigation and Coordinating Center, to investigate possible violations of pertinent laws. Businesses as well, including social media platforms, have an obligation to prevent violations from perpetuating by refusing of being accessories of harm and indignity by tolerating such contents.

To note, CHR has repeatedly made similar calls, including on the matter of businesses selling shirts depicting sexual objectification of women (https://bit.ly/3aWCceN) and on the existence of online groups preying on children (https://bit.ly/3cMRbZj). We hope that the we do not take incidents like these lightly because human rights are at stake. Human rights violations, even those masked by humour, remain to be manifestations of violations and abuse, and should never be a laughing matter.