Woman gets 21 years for online child trafficking

MANILA, Philippines — A 23-year-old woman will spend 21 years in prison for offering children to online sex predators.

Cebu City Regional Trial Court Branch 11 Presiding Judge Ramon Daomilas Jr.  sentenced the woman to 15 years in prison for attempted trafficking in persons and another six years for aiding or abetting in the commission of cybercrime.

The woman was also ordered to pay P1.1 million in damages. 

She was arrested by personnel of the Philippine National Police Anti-Cybercrime Group in Cordova, Cebu on June 23 last year after she was caught offering to sexually abuse minors and livestream those explicit acts in exchange for money from a foreigner.

Authorities rescued three girls, aged 12 and 15. A four-year-old girl and the woman’s two sons, aged 2 and 5, who are considered “at-risk,” were taken into custody. 

“As the government continues to enforce laws against online sexual exploitation of children and hold perpetrators accountable in court, the abuse of children... will surely decrease,” John Tanagho, International Justice Mission (IJM)-Cebu director, said.

Sixty-three people have been convicted for online exploitation of children, which the IJM describes as a “violent and global form of human trafficking.” 

At least 503 children were rescued.

The IJM urged the public to report suspected online sexual exploitation of children through its hotlines 032-505-4167 and 032-410-8483.