PB asks public to support net patrol

CEBU, Philippines - The Cebu Provincial Board is requesting the local government units in the whole province to support the internet patrol against child prostitution of the Department of Justice.

The request stemmed from the recent arrest of parents who used and exposed their minor daughters to cyber-pornography in their own home in Cordova town last month.

“To combat these gruesome crimes, we should channel our resources together with the involvement of the community to strengthen awareness-raising and education campaigns focused on online pornography,” said the resolution sponsored by PB Member Thadeo Ouano.

According to Justice Assistant Secretary Geronimo Sy, internet patrol is similar to barangay patrols where citizens conduct patrols to bolster the campaign against criminality in their communities.

It urged the public to step up their efforts to report to the proper government authorities exploitative websites, particularly those promoting child prostitutions.

Ouano said that LGUs play an essential role in securing the welfare and provides education on child rights while the community shall also participate in the monitoring and reporting.

Acting Vice Governor Julian Daan also said that because of what happened in Cordova, there has been a serious distortion in the values of the children.

“The usual excuse of poverty, as the fuel for these parents to commit such condemnable act, holds no waters before this honorable assembly and before our laws,” said the resolution sponsored by Daan.

The PB is set to discuss this afternoon’s session the reported cybersex crimes in the municipality of Cordova.

Invited to appear the session are Mayor Adelino Sitoy; Cebu Provincial Police Director Sr. Supt. Patrocinio Comendador; Provincial Director Jerome Gonzales of the Department of Interior and Local Government; National Bureau of Investigation 7 Director Antonio Pagatpat; and Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office head Evelyn Senajon.

PB Member Arleigh Jay Sitoy who initiated the invitation said that the intention is to gather inputs from them so that the province can develop a holistic solution to the problem. — (FREEMAN)