2 face charges for ‘sexually exploiting’ kids online
The Office of the Cebu City Prosecutor has indicted two people who allegedly sexually exploited children for a foreigner online in exchange for money.
Prosecutor Maria Theresa Casiño found evidence to charge Ma. Cherrylove Taboada and her alleged minor cohort with child pornography, pursuant to Republic Act 10175 (The Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012) in relation to RA 9775 (Anti-Child Pornography Act of 2009).
“The accused did hire and persuade (the minor) victims to perform in the creation or production of child pornography online using information communication technology such as a cellular phone connected to the internet for customers for a fee,” the charge sheet read.
The offense is non-bailable. Taboada’s co-respondent, a 17-yearold girl, was implicated in the charge after she showed discernment.
The regional police’s Women and Children Protection Center (WCPC) arrested the suspected human traffickers in an entrapment in Barangay Tisa, Cebu City last Sept. 9.
The trafficked victims, ages 14 and 15, were rescued from the suspects, who reportedly livestreamed the sexual abuse.
The suspects produced the video and sent it to their customers abroad. The suspects instructed their victims to perform sexual acts in front of the camera attached to the computer.
In exchange, the foreign clients sent $400 to the traffickers via money transfer. Police also seized the smartphones used by the suspects in their illegal activities.
The rescued victims are now in the custody of the DSWD 7, where they will under trauma-focused therapy.
Apart from the two minor victims, authorities also took custody of an 8-year-old girl and two minor boys, who underwent an assessment to determine if they were also victims of online sexual exploitation.
Senior Supt. Romeo Perigo, WCPC, Visayas Field Unit chief, said that operation was a joint effort of the Interagency Council Against Trafficking in Persons of Region 7, WCPC, the Cebu City Police Office, DSWD, and International Justice Mission.