The SUN HK : Consulate warns anew against indecent posts as ‘ihi’ video goes viral

PCG warns, posting obscene or indecent videos can lead to imprisonment and a hefty fine

The Philippine Consulate has again issued a warning against the posting of indecent photos and videos online after a Filipina domestic helper posted a video of herself on Mar 15 apparently urinating, and captioned it with “Ito talaga un eh, ihi reveal” (This is it, urine reveal).

The filtered video - which showed the Filipina who calls herself Pangs Muaña on Facebook crouching on a cement floor with her lefthand side to the camera, then slightly moving to show a bit more of her crotch - immediately went viral, with not a few Filipino migrant workers sharing it on social media.

PINDUTIN PARA
DETALYE

This was an apparent reaction to an “Ihi Challenge” posted in several videos by a woman in the Philippines named Anacel Lumbas, who gained tens of thousands of following as a result.

After being alerted about the suggestive video, staff at the Migrant Workers Office immediately took steps to locate Muaña whose real identity was not known to many, and managed to contact her only through a relative who shared her phone number.

TAWAG NA!

An MWO officer said Muaña agreed to take down the video, and she confirmed this herself in a post the next day, even adding that she issued a “public apology” to the Consulate.

But only two days later, the Filipina posted another video using the account name Pangs M Naypu, in which she angrily said she decided against deactivating her account with the controversial video as it was already spread online by other social media users.

PINDUTIN ITO

“Useless din kung deactivate ko kasi ang daming content creators ang nakinabang sa videos ko. Sila ang kumita at ako ang lugmok. No! hindi ako papayag,” she said. (It would be useless to deactivate {my account}because a lot of content creators gained from my videos. They were the ones who made money while I was down. No, I will not allow that to happen).

Unapologetic Muaña’ says it's 'useless' to deactivate her account

Muaña’s video was not the only one that sparked renewed concern among staff at the Consulate about the posting of suggestive, if not indecent, photos and videos by Filipino migrant workers here.

Another Filipina surnamed Rodrigo was also brought to their attention because of a video she posted showing her in a bathtub wearing only a T-back underwear and posing provocatively.

An MWO officer said Rodrigo was more cooperative, and promised to immediately take down her video. She also agreed to report to them in person on her day off this weekend.

The controversy over the two videos comes just four months after another FDW called “T-Back Queen” became the talk of the town after she went around the city wearing skimpy clothes, with her own videographer trailing her and posting her photos and videos on social media.

But it was the spread of a sex video of her with a local male that prompted the Consulate to reach out and warn her about its possible legal consequences. T-Back Queen responded by issuing a public apology on Facebook, and promised not to post any more provocative photos and videos.

According to the Consulate advisory, the posting of indecent videos and photos is an offence under the Control of Indecent and Obscene Articles Ordinance, which carries the maximum penalty of three years’ imprisonment and fine of up to $1 million.

This prohibition covers even those who merely shared the offensive videos or photos, although it can be presumed the primary responsibility rests on the person who first uploaded them.

The Criminal Procedure Ordinance of Hong Kong may also apply in this case. Under sec 101 of the law, any act that outrages public decency is punishable by up to seven years in jail. Such offending acts can range from something as minor as urinating in public or as serious as having sex in public.

In the Philippines, a “Code of Discipline for Overseas Filipino Workers” may also be used against those who commit acts that damage the reputation and welfare of their fellow migrant workers.

The act says all OFWs have the obligation to act as ambassadors of goodwill for the Philippines wherever they may go.

The penalty that may be imposed includes prohibiting the OFW from going abroad for work, the duration of which depends on how serious the violation is.