Cybersex in Cordova: Couple pleads "not guilty" to trafficking

CEBU, Philippines - The couple in Cordova who was arrested using their own children for cyber pornography has entered a plea of “not guilty” for all the criminal charges filed against them during their arraignment yesterday before the Regional Trial Court in Lapu-Lapu City.

The couple, whose names cannot be revealed pursuant to the provisions of the Anti-Human Trafficking Law, was assisted by public attorney Paulito Cabrera.

They are facing charges for qualified trafficking, child pornography and child abuse before the sala of RTC Branch 27 Judge Toribio Quiwag.

The court has scheduled the preliminary conference of the case on June 27 while the pre-trial is set on July 12.

Public prosecutor Lolita Lumanta said the prosecution will be presenting at least seven witnesses against the accused.

They are also looking at the possibility of presenting the five children as witnesses against their parents.

This will however depend on the recommendation of the social workers who has custody of the children.

Based on the report of the social workers, however, the children are not yet ready to see their parents in jail and even in television newscast about the case.

The social workers reported the status of their intervention to the six minors, including the cousin of the five siblings, during a meeting with the Provincial Women’s Commission led by Vice Governor Agnes Magpale.

Social workers and government officials handling the case yesterday met closed door at the Capitol to discuss schooling and transfer of facilities for the abused children and some other things.

Magpale told reporters that the psychologist requested not to allow the children to watch the newscast in the television as they are not yet ready to see their parents.

Magpale assured that the children will be sent to school although a little bit late from the rest of the students.

The children are now in the custody of the Department of Social Welfare and Development.

The agency is set to transfer them to another facility and should be housed in one facility in accordance to DSWD policy.

Magpale said that they are still looking for the school where to send the children and the facility where they will be transferred.

As to the 16-year old cousin of the siblings who happened to be inside the house when the raid was conducted, Magpale said they will discuss next meeting if she will be returned to her parents.

The couple was arrested during a raid conducted by the National Bureau of Investigation. Rescued during the raid were the five children of the couple and their 16-year-old niece.

The children were seen posing naked in front of a web camera. — (FREEMAN)