Woman nabbed in cyberporn operation
A woman was arrested yesterday afternoon for allegedly sexually exploiting her own daughter, 15, and two other minors in Barangay Sangat, San Fernando town, southern Cebu.
The FREEMAN is withholding the identities of the parties involved due to the sensitive nature of the case.
The mother, who is in her late 30s to early 40s, was arrested in an entrapment operation conducted by the operatives from the Philippine National Police Women and Children Protection Center-Visayas Field Office (WCPC-VFU) at her home in Sangat village at around 4 p.m.
She was placed under surveillance for a month prior to yesterday’s operation, which was law enforcers’ sixth arrest against someone engaging in Online Sexual Exploitation of Children (OSEC) in Cebu this year.
The mother allegedly sent sexually explicit photos of minors to online pedophiles. Also, she reportedly offered to sexually abuse the girls and live-stream that abuse for men to watch online.
Authorities are still searching for other victims.
In a statement released by the International Justice Mission (IJM), a non-government organization which helps victims of sex trafficking, the mother has been engaging the minors in online pornography in exchange for money from online pedophiles.
“This operation shows that Philippine law enforcement is able to track down and arrest individuals who sexually abuse children and sell ‘live streams’ of that abuse to pedophiles around the world in exchange for money,” said lawyer John Tanagho, IJM Cebu Field Office director.
If the community whether teachers, neighbors, NGO workers or anyone would provide tips on cyberpornography to police, Tanagho said more victimized and traumatized children could be rescued sooner before enduring years of abuse.
The mother will face charges for violating Republic Act 9208 or the Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act, and RA 9775 or the Anti-Child Pornography Act in relation to RA 10175 or the Cybercrime Prevention Act.
On the other hand, the victims, who are now under the custody of the Department of Social Welfare and Development, will undergo psychosocial interventions, including therapy and rehabilitation.
According to IJM, the victims would only be returned to the community after a comprehensive family home and risk assessment is conducted to confirm that the home is safe and free from any sexual abuses.