Education campaign launched against child cyberporn in Cebu

A PROGRAM aimed at promoting community awareness of cyberpornography will be launched by the Children’s Legal Bureau (CLB) in the province.

Dubbed as the “Child Protect Movement,” the CLB said it is a “back to basics” education campaign that seeks to empower the Cebuano communities especially their children on their rights to protection from cyber pornography.

“Start from the community. Empower the people through education. Let the children know of their rights. Let us build a community where children are protected,” said CLB lawyer Noemi Truya-Abarientos.

According to a “performer,” operators gets $50 to $300 from foreigners, the frequent customers of cyber pornography.

Children “performers” receive fees ranging from P100 to P300 every show.

Lewd shows take place daily with one child performing thrice a week or upon the request of foreign customers, CLB said.

“The operators simply recruit the relatives or their neighbors. The neighborhood knows of the business and they replicate it, giving birth of a virtual cottage industry,” Abarientos said.

In one of the raids in Cordova, CLB learned that children were exposed to cyberporn by their parents for at least three years already.

CLB is a Cebu-based non-governmental organization that gives legal aid to children who are abused and in conflict with the law.

Last June, the National Bureau of Investigation in Central Visayas (NBI-7) arrested a couple in Cordova town for allegedly asking their six children and a niece to pose naked and perform lewd actions in front of a web camera.

A series of raids ensued in Cordova and Naga City. Charges for violating Republic Act 9208 or the Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act of 2003 were filed against the alleged perpetrators.

Since the victims are minors, the charges fall under “qualified  trafficking,” non-bailable offense.

The penalty upon conviction is life imprisonment and a fine of P2 million to P5 million. Reporter Ador Vincent Mayol