Cybersex victims to get counseling

Two girls, aged 11 and 17, who were allegedly enticed by a neighbor to pose nude for a cybersex session in barangay San Miguel, Cordova town will undergo counselling and medical exams.

Social worker Edna Ragudo of the Department of Social Welfare and Development in Central Visayas (DSWD-7) said authorities will also assess whether it’s safe to turn over the minors to their mother.

The girls are still in the custody of the DSWD in Lapu-lapu City.

The neighbor, who was arrested by police last week along with her adult daughter, will be turned over to the Lapu-Lapu City jail today.

The two women, aged 47 and 20, were presented yesterday before Judge Victor Teves of the Regional Trial Court Branch 54.

Bail was set at P170,000 each.

The mother denied she was guilty of the charges of violation of Republic Act 9775 or the Anti-Pornogrpahy Act of 2009 and Republic Act 9208 or the Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act.

The charges were filed by the Children’s Legal Bureau (CLB) after the two minor girls were accompanied by their mother to the CLB to complain.

CLB lawyer Joan Suarez-Pabriaga said the charges were already filed last year but the Lapu-Lapu City prosecutor dismissed them for insufficient evidence.

After a motion of reconsideration was filed, an arrest warrant was issued.

Insp. Jonas Tajanlangit, deputy chief of the Cordova police precinct said police served the arrest warrants when the mother and daughter were in their house.

The women were surprised by the arrest because they thought the case was already dismissed.

Tajanlangit said police are closely monitoring a house in barangay Poblacion after receiving reports of cybersex activities, which has tempted many low-income families in Cordovato engage in on-line pornography for easy money. Police are also watching barangays Cogon and Ibabao. Reporters Candeze R. Mongaya and Jucell Marie P. Cuyos with Correspondent Gabriel C. Bonjoc