CEBU, Philippines - Only death penalty and a speedy trial under a jury system can deter child sex tourism.
This was according to Junex Doronio, an independent congressional candidate in the north district of Cebu City, in response to the challenge made by the Cebu Against Sex Tourism (CAST) to the candidates for the 2013 elections to make crusade against child sex tourism part of their program.
“How can we strike fear in the hearts of those involved in child sex tourism if there is no death penalty and they know that they can still be freed just by pretending to be good boys and girls while inside the jail?” said Doronio.
Doronio proposed that the security personnel in malls and other public places should not allow the entry of foreigners who are being escorted by young children, obviously not their relatives.
CAST earlier cited foreigners escorted by very young women and boys, many of them minors, and become a common sight in resorts and hotels and even in the most public places such as malls, not to mention night joints and hang out places
If elected, Doronio will file a bill pushing for the restoration of death penalty for heinous crimes such as child sex trafficking, massacre and plunder, and the establishment of a jury system in the country.
He explained that under the present justice system, the judges who sit permanently in their assigned courts may not stay neutral at all times while in a jury trial system, the jurors, who are reputable and well-respected residents in their community, are chosen to serve in only one trial and will be incognito to prevent harassment or bribe.
CAST also proposed that widespread education and information activities must be conducted to awaken parents to watch over their children and not feed them to sexual exploiters and the public must be vigilant against sex tourism.
Among the member networks of CAST are various non-government organizations that include the Children’s Legal Bureau, International Justice Mission, Batang Pinanga Foundation, CURE Foundation, and Options Inc. — (FREEMAN)