Couple denies using daughters in cybersex

CEBU, Philippines - The couple who was arrested for cyberpornography in Cordova town denied using their daughters to acquire money from foreigners through the Internet.

The 30-year-old mother, who is nine months pregnant of their fourth child, said she herself would entertain clients online and would get P500 to P1000 per transaction. She received her payment through money remittances.

“Chat-chat ra nang akoa. Wa nako giapil-apil akong mga anak ana,” she said.

The couple and the children's name were being withheld due to the nature of the case.

The woman said she could only transact with her clients if she had the money to buy load for Internet.

The suspect, who was sitting beside her common-law husband during media interview, denied posing nude in front of the computer and insisted that she only chatted with the foreigners.

She also denied police statement that they have been engaged in cyberpornography since 2011, saying they even hardly meet their basic needs or finish the construction of their house.

But when asked why they were able to afford a computer set, the woman said they only pay for it on installment basis.

“Ma-datad-atahan diay nang balay na mahal man,” the suspect replied when told to prioritize the construction of her house instead of the computer.

The 37-year-old father also denied the accusation, saying that he didn't even know that his common-law wife was engaged in cybercrime.

“Dakong away g’yud namo kung nahibaw-an nako,” he claimed.

He later admitted that his spouse chats with foreigners. “Pero walay show,” he added.

Police believe that there are more cyberpornography activities in the town.

“Based sa intelligence monitoring natin, meron pang ganitong illegal activities and they're also being watched,” said Police Regional Office-7 director Danilo Constantino.

But Constantino admitted that police are having a hard time pinning down the suspects for lack of evidence.

“So we’re seeking the help of the community. Your information could lead to their apprehension,” he said.

Senior Insp. Maria Theresa Macatangay, chief of the Regional Anti-Human Trafficking Task Force that led the raid, dismissed the idea that the cybercrime was syndicated in the area.

The parents, Macatangay said, abused their children's vulnerability and their inability to readily say no to them.

When asked what could be in Cordova that cyberpornography is particularly rampant in the place, Macatangay said: “Maybe that needs study. Cordova has a problem.”

Sitoy disputes claims      

Cordova Mayor Adelino Sitoy said it's not the lack of livelihood in his town that forced some families to engage in cyberpornography.

“Kanang kalisud rason sa cybersex binuang na, daghan pareho kabutang wa man maglisud. Ang gusto ra gyud ang easy money, magdali ba sa dagko kantidad,” Sitoy said.

He said that the oil spill has nothing to do with the existence of the illegal business in his town.

“Despite our efforts, kanunay mi dihang mag-meeting, PTA, mga bata, teachers, parents, wa lang gihapon,” he said.

While he agreed with Sitoy, Cebu Gov. Hilario Davide III said the problem has to be addressed.

The Provincial Women's Commission led by Vice Gov. Agnes Magpale has been actively involved in the operation and prosecution of cyberpornography cases in Cebu.

Sitoy said he has been meeting with the managements of money transfer establishments to discus some changes in the withdrawal form to easily identify the sources.

He said that the revision in the withdrawal form would be indicated in the municipal ordinance to be passed soon.

Davide welcomed the idea of crafting an ordinance that will be reviewed by the Provincial Board.

“With this development karon duna’y ordinansahon nga gi-propose, I welcome that,” Davide said.

Psychosocial therapy

The Department of Social Welfare and Development-7 is still conducting psychosocial therapy with the victims of the cyberpornography.

DSWD-7 information officer Kerwin Macopia said that the victims are now in their custody.

“They are already under our custody. We are still conducting psycho social therapy. We are still establishing rapport with the victims since dili pa man sila mo-open up with the social workers,” Macopia said. — (FREEMAN)