Minors rescued in cyberporn ops

CEBU, Philippines — Three girls were rescued from a 20-year-old woman who confessed to have used children to earn money from a cyberpornography operation.

Two girls ages 6 and 11 were rescued from the suspect’s house in Ibabao, Cordova while one other, age 9, was rescued from Talisay City during a follow-up operation.

The operations were carried out by a joint team composed of members of the Women and Children Protection Center (WCPC), International Justice Mission (IJM), and other government agencies by virtue of a search warrant issued by the court.

Senior Supt. Romeo Perigo, WCPC Visayas Field Unit commander, identified the suspect as Cynthia Loran, 20.

He said they started monitoring Loran following a tip from a concerned citizen.

“Based sa among nadawat nga report, ang iya daw modus kay mag-offer siya og mga minors for a show sa mga foreigners through the internet in exchange of a specific amount of money,” Perigo said.

Allegedly, Loran would ask $50 to $100 or an estimated P2,600 to P5,200 from her clients.

Loran told authorities she would force six children to engage in sexual acts live on camera, but Perigo said they are certain of only three victims upon checking Loran’s online account.

Police Senior Insp. Niño Ibo said they went to Talisay and rescued the nine-year-old girl after they saw her photo in Loran’s files. The girl is Loran’s neighbor in Cordova.

Aside from the girls, authorities also found two boys, ages 2 and 8, at Loran’s house in Cordova. The two-year-old is Loran’s son.

The two boys are now under the custody of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) for evaluation.

“I-assess sila sa DSWD if they are also victims. Exposed pud sila sa activity sa suspect,” Perigo said.

The girls will undergo therapy and rehabilitation.

Loran is facing charges for violating Republic Act 10364 or the Expanded Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act of 2012 in relation to Republic Act 10175 or the Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012.

It was in Cordova town where the first cases of cyberpornography were discovered in Cebu in 2011. Since then, raids have been undertaken, victims have been rescued, and suspects have been arrested but the problem continues to be a challenge to authorities.

Yesterday, Cordova Mayor Mary Therese Sitoy-Cho expressed disappointment over the recent incident and pledged to continue efforts to solve the problem.

“The local government of Cordova is saddened by this incident. Knowing that some of our people are still engaged in cyberpornography, victimizing our women and children, truly breaks our heart. However, the arrest of the perpetrators is also a relief and very welcome operation because this helps us in our fight against this menace. Cordova, in our own way, continues to fight cyberpornogaphy by religiously doing our counter measures and we won't stop the fight until this crime will be totally eradicated,” Cho said.  (FREEMAN)