Cordova residents urged: Help us stop cyberpornography

MAGPALE

VICE Gov. Agnes Magpale is calling on residents of Cordova town to help the provincial government combat the menace of cyberpornography.

“Please help us. Report to us any instances of cyberpornography, and I assure you that your identities will remain confidential. We (government) will do the rest,” she told Cebu Daily News over the phone yesterday as she made her call to those residents who are not into the illegal business that destroys families and the children’s future.

Magpale, co-chairperson of the Provincial Women’s Commission (PWC), also encouraged barangay captains to monitor their respective areas and end cyberpornography operations.

“Like in the Oplan Tokhang, captains would know families under its jurisdiction better,” he said.

Last Thursday, police operatives arrested a couple who allegedly exposed their children to cyberpornography in Barangay Ibabao, Cordova.

Some of the minors were found naked in front of a web camera when authorities barged into a couple’s home in Fatima Village.

Four children were rescued from the couple’s house.

In an adjacent house, law enforcers also rescued three other minors and arrested their guardian.

The youngest victim was seven years old.

While the law allows the media to identify the suspects of human trafficking, Cebu Daily News is withholding the names of the three suspects to protect the identities of the victims who are their children and relatives.

The operation was conducted by the Regional Women and Children Protection Center (WCPC) in coordination with the Cordova police, International Justice Mission (IJM) and the Department of Justice.

The suspects will be facing charges for violating Republic Act (RA) 9208 or the Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act of 2003; RA 10175, the Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012; and RA 7610, the Special Protection of Children Against Abuse, Exploitation and Discrimination Act before the prosecutors’ office.

Since the offender is the parent and the victim is a minor, the offense falls under qualified trafficking, a non-bailable case.

If convicted, they could face life imprisonment and a fine of P2 million to P5 million.

Despite the government’s relentless campaign against cyberpornography in Cordova, Magpale said there are still a number of residents who are into the illegal business.

She said there would be no letup in their campaign against cyberpornography.

“We continue conducting surveillance operations in Cordova,” Magpale said.