GIRL, 15, RESCUED FROM MA

Police raids house in Mandaue City, acting on information from Australian authorities and International Justice Mission Woman suspected of charging foreigners for online sex shows featuring her daughter, for about 5 years now

The 15-year-old girl who was rescued by authorities after her mother allegedly tried to peddle her for online sex in Mandaue City is now under the custody of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) 7.

Brenda Abilo, a social worker assigned at the DSWD 7’s Crisis Intervention Unit (CIU), told SunStar Cebu that Maria (not her real name) is undergoing psychosocial processing.

Abilo said the DSWD 7 is facilitating Maria’s needs, including providing her with food, clothing and personal effects.

Abilo disclosed that Maria’s father had attempted to reach out to DSWD so he could see his daughter.

But she admitted that Maria’s father may have to wait until such time that the DSWD can assess if he will be allowed to see her.

Maria will only stay at the CIU temporarily. She will be transferred to a permanent shelter for women once the DSWD and Mandaue City Government facilitate her transfer.

Mother, victim

If willing ka and ganahan ka sa lalake, maayo pa kamo na lang ang magrelasyon. JOSIE Mother of cyberporn victim

Josie (real name withheld) admitted receiving money from an Australian national on several occasions, but she denied sending him lewd photos or videos of her daughter in exchange for the money.

She claimed that the foreigner and her daughter were in a relationship since they started communicating over the internet in 2012.

The mother, who said she runs an eatery and store to earn a living, admitted that they received P2,000 to P5,000 for several years through a money remittance firm, reportedly for her daughter’s school needs.

In a Superbalita Cebu interview, Josie recalled that she became friends with the Australian on the internet in 2012. She started confiding her family problems to him and after a while, the Australian asked to meet her in person and marry her. But because she was married, she suggested to the Australian to marry her daughter instead.

“If willing ka and ganahan ka sa lalake, maayo pa kamo na lang ang magrelasyon,” Josie recalled telling her daughter that time. “Iya man gyud na-uyab akong anak (They are in a relationship).”

She said they did not do anything illegal.

“Na- shock gyud mi tanan sa pagaresto. Wala ko kahibaw ingon ani mahitabo… kay wala na gyud mi communication niya since 2016,” she said in Bisaya. /