MANILA, Philippines -- For allegedly editing and providing pornographic materials to Internet websites, the National Bureau of Investigation has filed criminal charges against 13 people who also allegedly used legitimate "outsourcing" companies in Pasig City as fronts.

Angel Dalumpines, head agent of the NBI?s Special Task Force, surveillance showed that incorporators and employees of Stratvisions Inc., Mytuscany Inc. and Versomina Corp. at Centerpoint building, Garnett Road, Ortigas, "enhanced" smut pictures and videos which were then transmitted to their clients. The materials, he said, were then posted on the Internet and accessed by paying customers.

The suspects, who were charged with violation of Article 201 (obscene publications and exhibitions and indecent shows) of the Revised Penal Code, were identified as: Jose Zarate, Ramon Velasco, Teresa Punzalan, Francis Ademe, Reynaldo Dimla, Avaline Calata, Virgilio Custodio, Jerry Javelosa, Jose Reyes, Ernesto Alano, Alberto Garcia, Jovy Flores and Joel Aquino.

"On September 13, the NBI-STF office received reliable information that Stratvisions Inc., which is being managed and run by Jose Zarate, was engaged in publicly selling, enhancing and exhibiting prints, indecent and immoral plays, scenes, acts or shows, which are all offensive to morals," said the complaint filed with the Department of Justice.

The NBI later learned that the two other companies were used interchangeably for the illicit activities.

The NBI, however, failed to arrest any of the suspects during the October 10 search but seized 10 computer units used in their alleged illegal activities., Dalumpines said

Aside from having pornographic images and videos, Dalumpines said the computers also had correspondence and account updates that will be used as evidence in court.

On October 24, the NBI invited the incorporators to an inquiry but a security guard said they had all reportedly resigned.