MANILA, Philippines - A local court has sentenced a couple in La Union to life imprisonment after being found guilty of crimes related to the production of "crush" videos two years ago.
The San Fernando Regional Trial Court Branch 30 also ordered Vicente Ridon and his wife, Dorma, to pay a fine of P9 million after being convicted of child abuse (Republic Act 7610), animal welfare crimes (Republic Act 8485), human trafficking (Republic Act 9208), and wildlife-protection crimes (Republic Act 9147).
The Ridon couple were convicted for filming scantily clad girls, one of whom was a 12-years-old, stepping on and crushing live animals to death.
People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) Asia said the Ridons' conviction is not a victory for the group or for Philippine law enforcement agencies protecting the rights of animals.
"The Ridons' sentences are a warning to anyone involved in the vile crush video industry: There are grave consequences to harming animals'," PETA Asia Vice President Jason Baker said.
The group worked with the help of authorities to ensure that the Ridons were located, investigated, arrested, and prosecuted.
The Ridons were arrested at the conclusion of a year-long investigation undertaken by the National Bureau of Investigation after PETA notified the authorities of their crimes.
Crush videos usually depict extreme cruelty to animals, including a dog being skinned alive or rabbits being flailed and while their ears are cut off.
Some of the animals are burned alive or crushed by individuals with the end of stiletto heel.