In Cebu, women held for selling kids for porn

CEBU CITY—Agents of the National Bureau of Investigation in Central Visayas on Thursday arrested three women for allegedly taking lewd pictures of their own children and other minors in Lapu-Lapu City, Cebu, to sell these to a child pornography operator.

The women were arrested during simultaneous raids in Barangays Soong and Babag around 6 a.m.

At least 20 minors, including two children of one of the suspects, and the daughter of another suspect, were rescued.

The suspects dealt with Patrick Clohessy, an Irish who was arrested in London four years ago for cyber porn.

Several lewd pictures that were found in Clohessy’s possession allegedly included those of minors from Lapu-Lapu City.

The National Crime Agency of London sought the help of the Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking and the International Justice Mission which referred the matter to the regional NBI office.

After conducting surveillance operations for nearly three months, the NBI confirmed that the three suspects were engaged in child porn.

Armed with a search warrant issued by Executive Judge Toribio Quiwag, of the Regional Trial Court in Lapu-Lapu City, the agents raided the houses of the suspects early Thursday.

Rescued from the house of one of the suspects in Barangay Babag were her two children, ages 4 and 6, and her 10 nephews.

The woman married Clohessy in 2009 but they separated the following year.

In Barangay Soong, the NBI rescued the 22-year-old daughter of a woman who was Clohessy’s alleged cohort in Cebu.

The NBI also raided the house of another woman, who used to be Clohessy’s live-in partner. No one was rescued but the NBI found lewd photos of minors.

The victims were brought to the Department of Social Welfare and Development.

Augusto Isidoro, NBI assistant director, said the NBI would file charges against the women and Clohessy at the Lapu-Lapu City prosecutor’s office.

They would be charged with violating the Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act of 2003 (Republic Act No. 9208) and the Anti-Child Pornography Act of 2009 (RA 9775).

Since the victims are minors, the cases would be nonbailable. Conviction carries a penalty of life in prison and fines ranging from P2 million to P5 million.

Isidoro said computers, laptops and mobile phones that were seized in the raids would be used as evidence.