Magpale: 6 LGUs hit by cyberporn

CEBU, Philippines — At least six towns and cities in the province of Cebu have been affected by cyberpornography and human trafficking, a Capitol official said.

Meanwhile, an alleged hacker was arrested in an entrapment operation in Barangay Kalubihan, Cebu City after he allegedly tried to extort from a female victim in exchange of deleting her nude photos on Facebook that the suspect was able to acquire through hacking.

Vice governor Agnes Magpale, chairman of the Provincial Women's Commission (PWC), identified the towns of Cordova, Sta. Fe, Madridejos, San Fernando and the cities of Bogo and Lapu-Lapu as affected areas, based on the rescue operations the PWC with its partner agencies have conducted.

Exclusive from the list are those towns and cities that are currently under surveillance.

Magpale said cyberpornography still continues especially that it's easy to access internet through mobile phones.

The vice governor stressed the importance of the role of schools in educating their students about the danger of entering such act.

"We go back to values.  That's why we are connecting with schools, teachers, because in one town, murag it has become a habit.  Like the students will be absent from their classes unya moingon sila naa koy show, mura na'g natural na lang sa ilaha" Magpale said adding that this should also be discussed during Parents and Teachers Association (PTA) meeting.

Magpale said that it is also alarming that some parents are the ones who push or pimp their children to do such act.

Last Wednesday, three minors were rescued from a woman engaging in cyberpornography where one of the victims was the child of the suspect.

She urged the newly elected barangay officials also to help in monitoring since they know their communities better.

Magpale said their operations are usually based on tips coming from neighbors or community.

The PWC is set to meet the mayors and vice mayors on June 1 where the commission and its partner agencies have successfully conducted operation against cyberpornography.

"This is not to say that their towns have the most number. First and foremost, we have to thank them for their cooperation. Gusto namo sila i-commend for the cooperation that they extended and because we want them to do more," Magpale said.

An alleged hacker was arrested in an entrapment operation conducted by the Regional Anti-Cybercrime Office (RACO)-7 in Barangay Kalubihan, Cebu City after he allegedly tried to extort from a female victim in return of her nude photos in Facebook.

RACO-7 Chief Leo Dofiles identified the suspect as Charles Ikeen Diaz, 20, a resident of Barangay Tisa, Cebu City.

Dofiles said that an 18-year-old female approached their office and reported the alleged attempt of extortion from the suspect in exchange of her nude photos in Facebook.

Based on the statement given by the victim to the police, the Facebook of her boyfriend was reportedly hacked by the suspect last May 15.

"According to her, ang Facebook sa iyang uyab kay gi-hack.  Unya ang katong nude photos naa man sa account sa boyfriend," said Dofiles.

Allegedly, the suspect installed a key logger in one of the computer shops in Tisa where he can hack the Facebook accounts of the customers.

Dofiles said that the suspect demanded P10,000 from the victim and later brought it down to P5,000 and a sexual act with the victim.

"On the day na kay nausab ang huna-huna sa suspect nga wala nay sex kay kuyog daw niya ang iyang live-in partner," Dofiles said.

When the suspect successfully received the entrapment money, the operatives then arrested the suspect.

Charges for violation of Republic Act 293 or extortion in relation to anti-cyber law are prepared against the suspect.

Dofiles said that they are now tracing the computer shop in Tisa where the suspect allegedly installed a key logger to hack the customer's Facebook accounts.

"Atong gipangita kay para maka-file sad og kaso ang owner. Ang boyfriend sa victim kay ako sad gi-encouraged nga mo-file og kaso kay iyang account man ang gi-hacked," Dofiles reiterated. –Ermida Q. Moradas/GAN (FREEMAN)