Zero child cyber prostitution community drive gets boost

200 people from different sectors commit to push campaign

Lapu-Lapu City Mayor Paz Radaza says her city’s campaign slogan is “I am not for sale. (CDN PHOTO/ JUNJIE MENDOZA)

Around 200 individuals from different sectors of the community yesterday pledged to work together to turn Cebu into a “zero child cyber prostitution community.”

Members of the academe, religious sector, civil society and the government signed a tarpaulin to signify their commitment at a  forum held at Ayala Center Cebu, one of the activities for the celebration of October as Children’s Month.

Cebu Vice Gov. Agnes Magpale there are enough laws protecting children but their implementation leaves must to be desired.

“Crimes against women and children are cancers in  society and a menace so serious we can’t afford to stand idly by,” she said in her speech.

Magpale, who co-chairs both the Provincial Council for the Welfare of Children (PCWC) and the Provincial Women’s Commission (PWC), said the government will carry on with raids to rescue children and women from suspected cyber-sex dens.

She also said the  council’s operations will be given given a bigger budget.

“We will not let our guard down,” she said.

In the last three  years, the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) has tallied 11 cases related to child prostitution that were filed with the City Prosecutor’s Office.

Ma. Jonah Nuñez of FORGE’s  Social Outreach Division urged the  National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) to be more vigilant in monitoring cyberspace with the proliferation of  child-related sexual crimes on the Internet.

Lapu-Lapu City Mayor Paz Radaza, in her address,  cited the importance of public awareness and cooperation.

Last March 3, the city government adopted the slogan “I am not for sale”, she said, with the campaign carried to the barangay level.

“It is even alarming to note that some people know that cyber-sex and prostitution is a crime but they do not know what   acts can or may lead to the commission of this crime,” said Radaza.

The mayor said community participation has increased. She said the  report of a concerned citizen led  to the recent arrest of an Australian national who reportedly abused and exploited some children in Lapu-Lapu city.

“These are just a few of the positive results of instilling awareness and cooperation. We will be innovating and improving ourselves as we go on with our fight for the protection of our children,” she said.

Yesterday’s  forum was organized by Bidlisiw Foundation Inc. and Fellowship for Organizing Endeavors (FORGE) Inc.