Cybersex couple charged in court

CEBU, Philippines - Five cases were filed yesterday before the Regional Trial Court Lapu-Lapu City against the couple who exploited their children for cybersex.

It was the National Bureau of Investigation who brought the charge sheet of the case to the RTC-Lapu-Lapu City.

The cases filed were three counts of violation of Republic Act 9775 or child pornography with the bail set at P460,000, violation of RA 7610 or child abuse with the bail set at P80,000 and violation of RA 9208 or qualified human trafficking with no bail recommended.

Prosecutor Nelia Sistoso recommended the filing of the case and it was approved by Acting Provincial Prosecutor Joseph Berciles after the couple, residents of Cordova town, waived their rights to undergo preliminary investigation.

NBI-7 assistant regional director Lauro Reyes said at about 11 a.m. yesterday they transferred the couple to the Lapu-Lapu City Jail after they secured a commitment order from the court.

The NBI, in coordination with the United States Department of Homeland Security, arrested the couple last June 1, 2011 after serving a search warrant issued by RTC Executive Judge Meinrado Paredes.

NBI agent Jedidah Hife said they kept watch on the house of the couple after the request of Cebu Provincial Women’s Commission led by Vice Governor Agnes Magpale last May 25, 2011.

Six children; two boys and four girls with ages ranging from 17 years old to three years old, were rescued and transferred to the Department of Social Welfare and Development.

The NBI said when they arrived the six children were performing in front of a webcam while their father operated and negotiated with foreign clients through the Internet.

Meanwhile, Magpale said she may request for the couple to be transferred to the Cebu Provincial Detention and Rehabilitation Center where a doctor can give pre-natal care to the woman who is six months pregnant.

The six children are currently going on a psycho-social intervention in a secure facility with a trained child protection specialist.

Magpale recognized the arrested couple’s request for the children to be left to their grandmother’s care, but she said the decision is not up to her but the experts.

The vice-governor appeals to the parents who are exploiting their children for cybersex to stop what they are doing.

“Undanga na intawn na ninyo, lu-oy kaayo ang mga kabataan,” Magpale said. (FREEMAN)