Cebu LGUs fight cybersex, human trafficking operations Last of 2 parts

CEBU, Philippines - Cybersex and human trafficking operations are really a big problem for local government units. It is fortunate, though that the International Justice Mission (IJM) is active in helping authorities fight these illegal activities.

The IJM is a human rights agency that rescues victims of slavery, sexual exploitation and other forms of violent oppression.

Gary Haugen, who used to work as lawyer of the United States Department of Justice, founded IJM in 1997 as a response to the need to help the thousands of human rights victims and child-abuse cases.

The IJM helps anti-trafficking law enforcement authorities in conducting operations against human traffickers, operators of cybersex dens and rescues the victims, who are mostly young women recruited from the different towns in the province.

The organization's lawyers, investigators and aftercare professionals work with local officials to immediately secure victims, prosecute perpetrators, and to help ensure that public justice systems effectively protect the poor.

Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama lauded the IJM for helping government officials in the Philippines in the fight against human traffickers and operators of cybersex dens.

At present, IJM has more than 500 lawyers, investigators and social workers, and most of them are citizens of the countries where they are assigned.

Aside from the Philippines, IJM also works with the governments of Cambodia, Thailand, India, Kenya, Rwanda, Uganda, Zambia, Bolivia, and Guatemala.

The IJM personnel in the Philippines had worked hand-in-hand with the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) and the police and their operations have resulted to the arrest of cybersex den operators in Barangay Ibabao, Cordova. Several children, including the daughters of the violators, were rescued.

A woman who was arrested in that operation said poverty led her and her neighbors to engage in cybersex operations.

Ibabao Barangay Captain Chito Bentazal, however said that using poverty as an excuse for getting into the cybersex operations is a poor excuse.

He said these people have other livelihood options, as what other residents in his barangay are doing.

Residents of Barangay Ibabao are engaged in fishing, stone-processing, driving tricycles and trisikads to earn money for their family.

Bentazal said those who engage in cybersex operations just want easy money.

Technology is the best friend of those who are into cybersex operations.

One would just need a computer or a laptop that has a webcam and internet connection.

Cybersex clients pay through money transfer firms that transmit the payment in just minutes.

But while there are those who engage in the illegal activity to earn money, there are also those who go into the cybersex trade to satisfy their sexual desires without the risk of getting sexually-transmitted diseases or getting pregnant.

Aside from the cybersex, the IJM also campaigns against the hiring of women to be made as commercial sex workers in certain clubs and other night spots.

A popular club in Cebu City was ordered close by the mayor after it was found out that its female workers offer "extra services" to customers.

Over 100 young female guest relations officers were earlier rescued by the members of the National Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking and the International Justice Mission during a surprise raid days before the bar was closed.

An official of the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) believes that poverty compelled these women to work as guest relations officers. — /QSB (FREEMAN)