CEBU, Philippines - For waiving their rights to answer the allegations filed against them, the Cebu City Prosecutor’s Office indicted tabloid vendors for violating City Ordinance 1408 also known as the Anti-Indecency Ordinance.
Prosecutor Edgardo Montenegro elevated the case to the Municipal Trial Court in Cities (MTCC) against tabloid vendors Rosita Lim, Eldiconda Ministerio and Andres Cervantes; Belal Marcino, a DVD vendor; and Jacinto Ybanez, a distributor of reading materials. Montenegro recommended P1,000 each for the vendors’ temporary liberty.
The Cebu City Anti-Indecency Board (CCAIB) coordinated the Carbon Police Station for the operation which led to the confiscation of the Manila-based tabloids.
CCAIB Chairman Lucelle Mercado said the seized items contained “grossly pornographic” material.
Mercado said she received a letter-complaint about the obscene materials sold in Cebu City and confirmed its existence upon verification.
The police raided the stalls of the accused along Manalili, Legaspi, Sikatuna, Pelaez and Mabini Streets. (FREEMAN)