Magpale doubts proposed shame campaign vs cyberporn

Vice Gov. Agnes Magpale

Cebu Vice Gov. Agnes Magpale  expressed worry that  staging a  “shame campaign”  against cyberpornography operations in Cordova town without solid proof would backfire.

Asked about the proposal of Provincial Board Member Arleigh Sitoy to post  signs identifying  houses of suspected cyberporn players,  Magpale said she has reservations about the plan.

“I’m not sure if that is a good move. First, human rights advocates might react to that,” she said.

“We do not have proof that these residents are engaging in cybersex, just reports except those cases in the past where we held raids. That happened because of surveillance and evidence,” Magpale added.

In the 1990s, Manila Mayor Alfredo Lim  spray-painted houses of suspected drug pushers  but his “shame” tactics were declared  unconstitutional by the Court of Appeals for violation of  due process, the presumption of innocence and the equal protection clause.

However, Magpale said  Sitoy’s proposed provincial ordinance on penalizing money transfer shops that do cash transactions with  cybersex operators has her full support.

The proposed ordinance is set to be approved on second reading after undergoing two more public hearings.

Magpale said Capitol officials  already talked to the owners of  money transfer outlets in Cordova town and instructed them to report “suspicious” transactions.

“We are not giving up on other means. It’s a good thing now that the local government units involved are now recognizing the problem instead of denying its existence,” she said.

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