LIFE IS HARD. “Lalang” is shown here talking with Cebu Daily News correspondent Michelle Joy L. Padayhag about the travails of Cordova folk who had to resort to cyberpornography to survive.
DESPITE the spiritual seminars, the lure of “easy money” offered by cyber-pornography proves too irresistible to families in Cordova town.
“Bisan gani adto sa Mactan Export Processing Zone (MEPZ) ma-apply kay dili man madawat kay way grado so ari na lang sila sa Internet ug camera kaysa mag gutom ang ilang pamilya (Even at the Mactan Export Processing Zone if you apply, you won’t be accepted if you’re not a high school graduate so you head to the Internet and camera rather than let your family starve),” a certain “Lalang” of sitio Kabilatan, barangay Ibabao in Cordova town said.
“Lalang” who requested that his full name be withheld, said cyberpornography has become a principal means of livelihood and main source of income for families.
“People here need a permanent and stable job. I hope local officials can do something about it,” he said.
Lalang said while residents attended seminars on the evils of cyber-pornography, necessity overrules any moral considerations.
He said some of the children rescued in some schools last Friday were his relatives.
“The parents were already advised by our relatives but it really depends on their conscience if they would still continue doing such acts,” Lalang said.
Nervous
However, last Friday’s rescue and raid made purveyors of cyberpornography nervous, he said.
“Makulbaan sila oi, dili katulog paghuman gani sa dakop atong isang adlaw naa ray iring nga nagdagan og tingog sa ilang atop gatoo sila taga NBI (National Bureau of Investigation) na (They are nervous and they can’t sleep. After the other day’s arrest, they literally jumped on hearing a shrieking cat running on the roof, thinking it was the NBI),” he said.
Some of these cyber-pornographers don’t receive payments, Lalang said.
“Ang ubang nga customers mamugos unya dili mamayad angay sad na silang dakpon oi kay source sad gud na sila (The other customers make demands and then they don’t pay, they should also be arrested because they re the source of this trade),” he said.
Jack Anoza, a former barangay official, admitted that they provided counseling and spiritual seminars to parents and children involved in the trade but it proved futile.
“It’s useless because when they need money they just return to cyber-pornography,” Anoza said.
Aurea de Ramayo, president of the Parish Pastoral Council (PPC) of San Roque Parish in Cordova, said the residents have been unresponsive.
“These parents don’t have personal knowledge on what are the consequences of their involvement in cyber-pornography,” de Ramayo said.
Trade of innocence
Despite this, she hoped that recent raids will discourage residents from engaging in the immoral trade.
Last Friday’s rescue of 13 children and arrest of suspects was lauded by the International Justice Mission (IJM).
Lawyer Andrey Sawchencko, national director of IJM Philippines, said they will continue to go after violators in order to stop the problem.
“There are many more like them in Cordova and other parts of Cebu and we look forward to joining an intensified campaign to fight this terrible trade of innocence,” he said in a text message to Cebu Daily News.
The girls aged nine to 14 were placed under the custody of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).
Two mothers were invited for questioning by the NBI who conducted the operation in coordination with the IJM and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.
Dante Bono-an, head of the NBI’s Anti-Human Trafficking Division said there are several families who are involved in the cyberpornography business.
When asked about the specifics, he said “a significant number of them.”