Anti-Cybersex Frontliners Gather to Map Out Measures, Present Accomplishments
Five local chief executives in Cebu and other stakeholders recently gathered at the Capitol to discuss their accomplishments, as well as challenges, in the ongoing fight against online sexual exploitation of children (OSEC).
Vice Gov. Agnes A. Magpale said that she invited to her office officials from the towns of Cordova and San Fernando and the cities of Mandaue, Talisay and Bogo, to thank them for their support on the successful operations against cybersex in their areas. Those who attended include Cordova Mayor Ma. Therese Sitoy-Cho; San Fernando Mayor Lakambini Reluya; Mandaue City Vice Mayor Carlo Fortuna; Rolando Lastimosa, who represented the mayor of Talisay City; and a representative of Bogo City Mayor Carlo Jose Martinez.
The meeting also served as an avenue for the local government units, the International Justice Mission (IJM) and the police to map out measures to further improve their campaign.
During the meeting, it was announced that Central Visayas ranked third in the most number of OSEC cases in the country.
Regional State Prosecutor Fernando Gubalane, who attended the meeting, said the top one is the National Capital Region followed by Central Luzon and then Central Visayas.
Based on the regional figures from 2003 to 2017 that he presented during the meeting, Gubalane revealed that his office processed 357 OSEC-related cases, involving 325 accused and 1,112 victims.
Of all the cases filed in court, at least 67 of these have already been decided, with 42 convictions and 25 dismissals of charges.
One of the major reasons identified for the dismissal of cases is the victim’s failure to testify in court, as most of the accused are their parents themselves.
“Judges want to see victims testify live in court, that is not child-friendly. So we need some judges to appreciate other forms of evidence,” said John Tanagho, IJM field officer during the meeting.
The Inter-Agency Council against Trafficking (IACAT) also reported a total number of 300 rescued victims from 2011 to 2018 in Central Visayas, with 99 of them coming from Cebu.
Of the 99 rescued victims, 54 of them are below 12 years old, 32 are over 12 years old, and 13 are adults.
Among the challenges identified is providing a sustainable alternative livelihood to rescued children and parents.
Mayor Cho and Tanagho observed that parents would resort to easy ways of earning income rather than opting to have a livelihood that would only allow them to earn at least P300 a day.
“They want more (income) and easy,” said Tanagho, adding that these parents should be informed of the consequences of their actions.
Another challenge raised during the meeting was the lack of service vehicles and personnel of the Regional Anti-Cyber Crime Office (RACO). Chief Insp. Leo Dofiles, RACO chief, said that his office also only has six personnel and has no service vehicle.
