US assisting Phl in cybersex case

CEBU, Philippines - A US Department of Justice attaché is in Cebu to assist authorities in a case involving a couple who used their children in cybersex business in Cordova town.

Robert Courtney, accompanied by Vice Governor Agnes Magpale, visited Governor Gwendolyn Garcia at the Capitol yesterday.

Garcia and Magpale are the chairperson and the co-chairperson, respectively, of the Provincial Women’s Commission, which is working closely with authorities in the prosecution of the case.

The pre-trial is scheduled today at the Regional Trial Court in Lapu-Lapu City.

Courtney told reporters that the US Justice Department is providing whatever assistance to the prosecution.

“We will be working together with the regional prosecutors to attempt to provide witnesses and whatever evidence in support that we are asked to provide,” Courtney said.

Magpale said it is “inevitable” for US authorities to assist in the prosecution of the case since they sent experts even without being asked for any help.

Experts from the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) unit of the US-Department of Homeland Security is conducting forensic examination of the computer seized from the couple to find out if Americans were among the couple’s clients.

Following the visits of American law enforcement agents, the Australian Federal Police also visited Cebu and expressed interest to help track if there are Australians among the foreign clients of the couple.

Both foreign authorities are closely coordinating with the Philippine National Bureau of Investigation.

The couple allegedly used their own children – three sons and three daughters, aged three to 15 – and their 16-year-old niece in their cybersex business.

During his visit to the Capitol, Deputy Attaché Eric McLoughlin of the ICE Unit assured that they will prosecute any American found to be among the couple’s patrons.

The ICE was initially only asked to assist in the digital forensic examination but the data obtained will be shared with the ICE in its own investigation.

The NBI arrested the couple during a raid on their house in Cordova on June 1 on strength of an arrest warrant issued by RTC Judge Meinrado Paredes.

The couple is now facing charges for child pornography, child abuse and qualified human trafficking.

With no bail recommended for their release, the couple is now detained at the Lapu-Lapu City Jail.

Their six children and niece are now in the custody of the Department of Social Welfare and Development. - (THE FREEMAN)