Magpale Sets Anti-Cyberporn Forum on June 1
The Cebu Provincial Government, through the Office of Vice Gov. Agnes A. Magpale, will gather mayors and other key officers from various local government units (LGUs) on June 1 for a forum on cyber-pornography.
“I wish to thank them for cooperating with authorities. I want them to continue the good work,” said Magpale in a press conference held recently, together with officials of the International Justice Mission (IJM), Philippine National Police and the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) 7.
“In view of this, the Office of the Vice Governor of Cebu Province, in partnership with the International Justice Mission, will organize a press conference that will bring together leaders of cities and municipalities where actual cases have occurred,” as stated in the invitation.
The gathering aims to highlight the ongoing efforts of LGUs where cases of cyber-pornography have been reported. These LGU officials will serve as panelists during the discussion. Names of mayors and other officials to be invited will still be disclosed.
On Thursday last week, Magpale met with IJM field office director John Tanagho, Provincial Police’s Women and Children Protection Center (PCWC) Chief Romeo Perigo and DSWD 7 social welfare officer Grace Yana where she was briefed about the updates on the recent arrest of a mother who was accused of selling her daughter to cyber predators abroad.
Magpale congratulated the officials for their successful joint operation.
The mother, a 30-year-old resident of San Fernando town, has been charged for violating the anti-child pornography law, child protection law and anti-human trafficking law for allegedly engaging in cyber-pornography using her daughter.
Magpale said that the June 1 forum also seeks to alert the community and other stakeholders on the problem of cyber-pornography. She cited a few instances where some social welfare officers were not aware of what’s happening in their community.
Tanagho agreed with Magpale. “If the community, such as teachers, neighbors, NGO workers, or anyone, would provide tips for referrals to the police of so-called ‘cyber-pornography’ in their community, then more victimized and traumatized children could be rescued before enduring years of abuse,” said Tanagho.
“Let us go back to instilling values to our constituents, the mothers and the youth,” said Magpale.
The operation in the southern town of San Fernando brought to 39 the number of individuals arrested for online sexual exploitation of children (OSEC) in Cebu in the last two and a half years, based on the IJM data. These traffickers had exploited 99 children, who are now on their way to recovery.
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