Capitol steps up program vs cyberporn

CEBU, Philippines - The Cebu provincial government through the Provincial Women’s Commission is intensifying its program against cyberpornography in schools and barangays.

Vice Governor Agnes Magpale, who also heads PWC, is addressing concerns for the welfare of women and children and now focuses on the fight against cyberpornography.

In the last PWC meeting, a report was passed that in a city in southern Cebu, children were reportedly exploited by having them do sexual acts while accessing the Internet.

These acts are often caught being done in shanty-turned-Internet cafes.

Magpale said the commission has decided to implement their programs by going to schools during Parent-Teachers Association meetings and parent-teacher conferences.

“Last March, nagpadala ta’g lima ka-tarpaulin [with the words] ‘What are the VAW-C (Violence Against Women and Children) and crimes against children and what are these cases?’ Naa’y pictures gyud aron makahibaw sila og unsa, and to let them know that this is not normal,” she said.

She said they have already called the owners of Internet cafes, expressing sentiments on shanties that serve as ‘hulog-piso’ Internet cafes since some of them have no license to operate.

Meanwhile, the National Bureau of Investigation-7 has also intensified its campaign against cyberpornography by monitoring the income flow and Internet subscription of every household in the barangay level.

Ricardo Diaz, director of NBI-7, said they welcome any information that can help detect persons involved in cyberpornography.

Cebu Provincial Prosecutor Pepita Jane Petralba has also pushed for the creation of a "Cybercrime Investigation and Coordinating Center," a policy-making body that will undertake the creation of a cybersecurity plan for the country, which will integrate all measures against cyberpornography and human trafficking.

The Department of Social Welfare and Development is also working hand-in-hand with the local government to provide technical assistance to victims of violence and prostitution by creating temporary shelters for women, livelihood assistance, and legal assistance.

Jail guard nabbed

Meanwhile, a junior officer of the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology-7 was arrested by the police after he allegedly sexually assaulted a videoke bar owner in Barangay Dakit, Bogo City on Monday.

The 26-year-old victim showed up at Bogo City Police Station and complained the BJMP officer, with a rank of Jail Officer 1, of touching her chest.

The FREEMAN is withholding the name of the victim and of the accused due to the sensitive nature of the case.

Initial investigation revealed that the suspect was a customer of a videoke bar owned by the victim.

The victim alleged that she was sleeping when she noticed someone touched her chest and kissed her.

The suspect allegedly bit her lips, which awakened her.

The woman resisted and the jail officer allegedly uttered insulting words towards her.

She further alleged that the suspect threatened her to have her videoke bar placed under surveillance.

The suspect was arrested and will face charges for acts of lasciviousness. — (FREEMAN)