Women's commission calls for ban on tabloid "porn"

CEBU - The Provincial Women’s Commission passed a resolution urging the Cebu provincial government to pass an ordinance prohibiting and penalizing Cebu-based newspapers and tabloid from publishing pornographic literary pieces and photographs.

The resolution says that reports from various sources have found local tabloids to be among the sources of pornography because of photos published at the front and inside pages.

There are also stories such as Moonlight Romance, Intimate Moments, Teen Romance, to mention a few, which are published by two local tabloids in Cebu.

PWC resolution argued that these tabloids are of general circulation and fairly priced that it can be easily accessed by minors.

Agnes Magpale, PWC co-chairwoman, said the resolution is intended for the welfare and protection of women and children.

But a consultation with the publishers and others concerned shall be held first.

PWC is also planning to create a resolution appealing to radio stations to stop from airing cell phone numbers because various cases of rape have been reported of which suspects are textmates or chatmates of the victims, said PWC member Ricky Poca.

“We should stop from creating opportunities for men to abuse women,” Poca said.

Meanwhile, cases of human trafficking are increasing said Magpale. She said many victims are reporting their cases to the authorities, something she attributed to the education and awareness of victims about their rights. 

But still, a lot opt to remain silent because of lack of trust to the judicial system.

PWC has various ongoing activities and programs to help victims and survivors of human trafficking.

PWC has created the Task Force against Human Trafficking which researches, monitors and acts against trafficking in Cebu Province and its component cities.

They also offer free legal assistance and psycho-social services to women and girl-child victims of violence.

Education on gender and development are also being conducted at the city, municipal and barangay levels.

The Philippine National Police Women’s Desk has desks in 50 police stations in the province. Police stations in component cities such as Talisay, Naga, Carcar, Danao, Toledo and Cebu also have its own women’s desks. – Jessica Ann Pareja/BRP (THE FREEMAN)