Fashion fotog who took photograph of minor posts bail

CEBU, Philippines - The fashion photographer who was charged for allegedly uploading a nude photo of a 17-year-old boy on a social networking site is out on bail.

Regional Trial Court Executive Judge Soliver Peras yesterday signed the release order of Michael Angelo Ortega who is facing charges for allegedly violating the Anti-Child Pornography Act and the Anti-Photo and Video Voyeurism Act.

Assistant City Prosecutor Van Russell Inopiquez elevated the charges against Ortega to court after the suspect chose not to file a counter-affidavit at the prosecutor’s level. He recommended P200,000 for Ortega’s temporary liberty.

The National Bureau of Investigation arrested Ortega at his residence on January 12 after they seized photographs, a laptop and cameras when they implemented a search warrant.

NBI agent Rey Villordon said Ortega did not resist arrest and was cooperative in the investigation. Surveillance was conducted after the boy’s mother sought the NBI’s help last month when she saw a nude photo of her son on Facebook.

Ortega allegedly enticed the minor to be a model in exchange for money.

Ortega refused to comment but his partner said earlier that they were under the impression that the boy was of legal age when he reportedly responded to a “casting call” also on Facebook. The invitation was recruiting for freelance models to be among the “top 10 males” in Cebu.

The partner who requested anonymity said there were private messages exchanged on Facebook. They reportedly took the photo down after they received a call from the mother who informed them that her son is a minor.

The partner emphasized that they made sure their models know what they are engaging themselves with. – Mylen P. Manto/JMO (FREEMAN)