CEBU, Philippines - The Cebu Provincial Council for Women and Children has assured to take the cudgels to protect children from exploitation with the approval of the Anti-Child Sex Tourism Ordinance even if the parents of the victims are not pressing charges.
Thelma Arañas of the PCWC said the council will act as complainant against whoever is caught involved in child pornography or cybersex activities.
Arañas said the provincial government’s effort to protect children from exploitation has been given more teeth with the passage of the new ordinance.
The ordinance authored by Vice Governor Agnes Magpale was approved last month to complement Republic Act 7610 otherwise known as the Protection Against Child Abuse, Exploitation and Discrimination Act.
The new ordinance imposes stiffer penalties on hotels, resorts, and other tourism establishments that fail to report guest bringing minor. Aside from cancellation of business permit, a fine of P5,000 will be imposed and one year imprisonment for hotel or resort owner.
The Department of Social Welfare and Development in central Visayas reported that as of January to September this year, at least 25 children have fallen victims to pedophiles, 18 children to prostitution, and 17 each to pornography and cyber pornography.
In line with the Children’s Month celebration, the PCWC reminded the community that they can now file charges using the new ordinance.
“Ang uban man gud nga ginikanan dili na mukiha kay hinatagan man ug butang o kwarta labi na sa mga foreigner so kung dili sila mukiha then kita ang mukiha through this ordinance,” Arañas said.
Arañas recalled a recent incident in Sibonga town wherein a foreigner reportedly molested a three-year-old girl in front of the mother.
“Nakita gyud namo sa video nga ang bata gipabuhat ug mga buhat nga binastos unya ang ginikanan nag-sige ug ingon nga okay ra nak... tarung pa ba na?” she said, adding that the foreigner was intercepted by authorities and is now facing charges. (FREEMAN)