American arrested over physical, mental abuse of partner


An American was arrested by the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) for having repeatedly subjected his girlfriend to physical and mental abuse and threatened to upload their sex videos online if she leaves him.

NBI Officer-In-Charge Director Eric Distor identified the arrested American as Jonathan Matthew Frias.

Frias was arrested in his condominium unit in Mandaluyong City last Sept. 8 by operatives of the NBI’s International Operations Division (NBI-IOD) who acted on the complaint of his girlfriend.

In a sworn statement, the NBI said the complainant recalled how Frias subjected her to physical psychological, and emotional abuse during their 15-month relationship.

“Subject’s volatile and violent behavior resulted in a regular physical, psychological, and emotional abuse that became a cycle without any obvious provocation,” the NBI said.

The complainant added that Frias also forced her “to join him in his use of illegal drugs which she assented to so as not to cause arguments that can lead to more beatings and physical abuse.” 

At one instance, Frias “in a fit of jealousy, sent their sex videos to the complainant threatening the latter that if she decides to leave him or do not follow his orders and requests, he would upload such videos to the complainant’s family and friends,” the NBI said.

The complainant claimed she tolerated Frias’ unusual behavior because of love.

But she decided to seek help from the NBI when Frias threatened her with a knife during a heated argument last Sept. 8 “causing so much fear.”

Frias was brought for inquest before the Mandaluyong City Prosecutor’s Office for violating Republic Act 9262 (Anti-Violence Against Women and their Children Act) in relation to RA 10175 (Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012.