Woman in Cordova cybersex case nabbed

Instead of receiving police assistance a woman in Cordova town who complained that she was being mauled by her lover was arrested on charges of qualified human trafficking by Cordova police last Monday.

Marilou Tabada, 37, was erved a two-year-old warrant of arrest.

She had gone  into hiding after her house in barangay Cogon  was raided  as a  home-based cybersex den in July 12, 2011.

Police arrested a couple and rescued three minors at Tabada’s home. The children were used to pose naked and  perform sexual acts in front of web cameras.

Tabada went to the Cordova police for help after she was beaten up by her  live-in partner. A policeman recognized her.

“I want to put my live-in partner in jail. I was having second thoughts of going to the police for fear they might identify me with that cybersex case, but I really want justice from my abusive  partner,” Tabada said.

Tabada denied she had any role in the cybersex den and that her name was just used as the house owner.

The arrest warrant issued by  Regional Trial Court (RTC) Judge Toribio Quiwag was for her and  Salome Ligan, who is still at large.

Tabada alleged that Salome Ligan rented her computer and her home.

“I did not know anything about the cybersex operation. The place and computer was mine but  Salome Ligan was renting everything,” she said.

Tabada said she hid in Mandaue City, and Manila but eventually had to return to Cordova town to raise her children.

Tabada appealed to Ligan to surrender and clear her name.

“It is Salome who can prove that I am innocent. I am asking her to surrender and think about her two children,” Tabada said.

She said Ligan has two children being cared by her mother, Milagrosa.

“Since the incident, she never showed up. I consider her  dead. If ever she comes and visits us, we will report her to the authorities,” Milagrosa Ligan said.

The other woman suspect which police are still hunting was Ma. Salome Ligan, one who coached the minors to perform lewd acts infront of a cam.

PO2 Noem Rosillosa of the warrant section, who identified and arrested Tabada, said charges will be filed against her live-in partner William Sumalinog. With Correspondent Norman V. Mendoza