Cebu police rescue toddler from cybersex

CEBU CITY – Police rescued a two-year-old toddler who was allegedly exposed to online sexual exploitation by her own mother in Barangay Canjulao, Lapu-Lapu City.

Annie (not her real name) was immediately turned over to the Department of Social Welfare and Development for proper intervention while her mother eluded arrest.

Based on initial investigation, the mother allegedly offered her daughter to paying customers abroad for cybersex.

In a statement issued on Friday, the International Justice Mission (IJM) said the suspect reportedly demanded P6,000 to P15,000 from foreigners.

Another rescued victim told the police that she was forced to strip naked by the suspect who sent her nude photos online. Authorities have yet to name and determine the age of the second victim.

The raid was carried out after IJM and police received a tip from an informant regarding the illegal activities of the suspect.

The Women and Children’s Protection Center (WCPC) of the Philippine National Police (PNP) is set to file charges against the suspect before the Lapu-Lapu City Prosecutor’s Office for violations under Republic Act 9208 (Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act), Republic Act 9775 (Anti-Child Pornography Act) in relation to Republic Act 10175 (Cybercrime Prevention Act), among others.

“The awareness of the public on the existence of the Online Sexual Exploitation of Children (OSEC) in the Philippines is slowly increasing and added to that is the enormous effort of our government to curb exploitation of children, which contributes to the seeming proliferation of OSEC,” said Col. Shiela Portento of the WCPC.

“If we look into the situation of OSEC in the country based on the international reports, it is quite alarming but as we see it on our perspective we have already achieved remarkable accomplishments. Indeed we cannot deny the existence or the proliferation of OSEC but the PNP particularly the WCPC is doing its share to eliminate this type of crime,” she added.

IJM Cebu Field Office Director Atty. John Tanagho said he was saddened by yet another case of sexual exploitation involving parents and children.

“Imagine, a mother offering to sexually abuse her two-year-old daughter and even live-stream that abuse?  We can’t blame this all on poverty—millions of Filipinos work hard to provide for their families through honest and dignified means, even if they live simply,” he said in a statement.

“Online sexual exploitation of children is about individuals with distorted moral values who are willing to mistreat and sexually abuse children to make money, without regard for the God-given dignity and innocence of children,” he added.  /kga