Capitol moves to save community from cyberporn

AFTER assessing the situation of the Cordova neighborhood known for online pornography,the provincial government will again send a team on Monday to facilitate livelihood interventions to wean residents from online pornography.

Personnel from the Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office (PSWDO) and the Provincial Women’s Commission (PWC) will try to persuade community members to engage in alternative livelihood, which while not giving them easy and big money, is more dignified.

PWC chairperson and Acting Gov. Agnes Magpale admitted in a meeting last Thursday morning that the government may not be able to match the easy money from online pornography many residents of sitio Sung-ok, barangay Ibabao have been accustomed to, but the Capitol will offer them the best assistance available.

And adopting legitimate livelihood is the only viable option left for those hooked on online pornography as law enforcement agencies here and the United States are aggressively going after the illegal cybersex trade.

Magpale warned those engaged in online pornography that it is just a matter of time before they are arrested and hailed to court.

“The NBI possesses sophisticated gadgets and with the help of the Homeland Security Agency of the US could easily pinpoint houses where the illegal online trade is being done,” said Magpale.

Aside from livelihood packages Magpale said the Capitol will also facilitate psychosocial interventions for community members so that they can do away with the indecent trade.

The Anti-trafficking in Persons Act of 2003 (RA 9208) lists pornography done with the use of information technology as human trafficking which is a heinous crime.

If the victims are minors, violators are sued for qualified human trafficking which is a non-bailable offense unless the court determines that evidence of guilt is not strong.

Last May 26, the National Bureau of Investigation and personnel of the US Homeland Security Agency raided a house in sitio Sung-ok and arrested a couple for exploiting their two children and another minor on cyberporn. /CNU Intern Nice Ann Teleron