No bail for man who ‘pimped’ boys

CEBU, Philippines - The Cebu City Prosecutor’s Office has recommended no bail to the man accused of pimping minor boys in exchange for money.

Prosecutor II Rodulph Joseph Val Carrillo held for trial accused Eul Vincent Rodriguez, 27, a resident of Barangay Tabunok, Talisay City, after he waived his right to undergo preliminary investigation to answer the allegations filed against him before his office.

Rodriguez was charged for a violation of Section 4(a) in relation to Section 6 of Republic Act 9208 or Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act as amended by R.A. 10364 or the Expanded Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act.

The incident happened on Feb. 13, 2014 at about 10:55 p.m.

In their joint-affidavit, the operatives of the Regional Intelligence Division, Regional Anti-Human Trafficking Task Force of Police Regional Office-7 said on Nov. 15, 2013, their head received a report from US Immigration and Customs Enforcement that a “cyber pornographic” suspect with a Skype name of Eula Rodriguez offered actual online nude shows of boys or girls for “sexual pleasure” of online customers in exchange for money.

Police Senior Inspector Maria Theresa Macatangay, chief of RID, RAHTTF directed PO3 Jerry Espina Gambi to conduct a thorough investigation on the accused.

On Nov. 19, 2013, Gambi signed up for a decoy account on Facebook using an alias name, posting as a foreigner businessman from Guam. Gambi said he started communicating with the accused and able to locate his residence.

Through Skype, Gambi said accused offered to him a nude show in exchange for money.

Upon the demand of the accused, Gambi said he sent 50 US dollars to him through money transfer on Feb. 5, 2014.

On February 10 at about 6a.m., he said the accused led a nude show of a 14-year-old boy and two others.

The operatives on Feb. 13 conducted an entrapment operation against the accused in an uptown hotel in Cebu City prompting his arrest.

During the arrest, accused brought with him a 14-year-old boy. The minor was turned over to the Department of Social Welfare and Development for custody.

In his sworn statement, the 14-year-old boy said he and accused became friends in 2012. Sometime in 2013, the accused began bringing him to an internet café to do a show online. He said after the show he will be given P100 to P600.

The said activities, he said, lasted until such time the accused was arrested by the authorities.  (FREEMAN)