A Cordova policewoman shows the USB taken from Peter John Robinson’s bag that contains photos of the children posing naked. (CDN PHOTO/ TONEE DESPOJO)
Their parents want to take them home but the 15 children who were rescued from a Cordova beach resort where they were allegedly sexually abused by an Australian guest will remain for now with the Lapu-Lapu City social welfare office.
“The children will stay here temporarily for counseling and to determine if they were traumatized although some want to go home,” said social worker Ermelita Degamo.
Inside the bag of arrested Australian Peter James Robinson was a flash drive or USB containing photos of the children posing in the nude and performing lewd acts.
Cordova police said some photos also showed the minors posing with naked women who appear to be their mothers.
Sr. Inspector Alexander Nunez, Cordova police chief, said they would immediately look for the women in the photo to identify them so proper charges can be filed. A digital camera, laptop and USB of Robinson were among the evidence submitted for the filing of charges of violation of the anti-child abuse law and anti-child pornography law last Thursday.
Nunez said several parents of the 15 rescued children were not cooperating in the investigation.
The children were invited to the resort over the weekend by Robinson through a 17-year-old local girl. The children hail from Olango Island and Lapu-Lapu City.
“We allowed them to rest first but our interviews are ongoing to determine if there was abuse committed. Some want to go home. Some remain silent when we ask them questions ” she said.
Cebu Vice Gov. Agnes Magpale, who co-chairs the Provincial Commission on Women and Children, said the province is willing to take care of the rescued children if needed.
“There are new facilities that have offered their services so we are very much willing to help. I am just waiting for the Children’s Legal Bureau if they need our help. Anyway, they know we are just a phone call away.” she said.
Magpale said last Tuesday’s raid validated a report from the US Homeland Security a few months back that cyber pornography and human trafficking continues in some parts of Cebu.
“It’s still proliferating. But we’re happy that everyone is on board. Not like before where we were working on our own,” she said.
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