SPECIAL REPORT: Cebu LGUs fight cybersex, human trafficking operations (first of 2 parts)

Many people who wanted to earn money the easy way have been lured into illegal activities such  as engaging in cybersex or operating cybersex dens.

Cybersex, according to reports, has become a growing industry in many parts of the world, including in the Philippines, where there is a perception that there is a low risk of arrest of violators despite the existence of laws like Republic Act 9775 or the Anti-Child Pornography Act of 2009; and Republic Act 9208 or the Human Trafficking Act.

Cybersex and the law

Oxford Dictionaries defines cybersex as “sexual arousal using computer technology, especially by wearing virtual reality equipment or by exchanging messages with another person via the Internet.”

Philippine laws, meanwhile define cybersex as “the willful engagement, maintenance, control, or operation, directly or indirectly, of any lascivious exhibition of sexual organs or sexual activity, with the aid of a computer system, for favor or monetary consideration.”

A person found guilty of engaging in cybersex faces up to six months in jail and a fine of not less than P200,000 but not to exceed P1 million, or both imprisonment and fine, upon the discretion of the court. Persons arrested for operating cybersex dens, meanwhile, face charges of violating Republic Act 9208 or the Human Trafficking Act.

Despite the said laws, however, there are still people who engage in this illegal activity, operating even in their homes.

The fight vs. cybersex operations

The town of Cordova in Mactan hogged the headlines after a joint team composed of representatives from the police and National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), assisted by the International Justice Mission (IJM), raided several cybersex dens in Barangay Ibabao. The raiding team apprehended a few couples who allowed their teenage children perform sexual acts in front of the webcam.

The police said they have received intelligence reports that cybersex dens are also operating in other parts of the province and they are closely monitoring these areas.

The Freeman learned that an operator of a cybersex den in Cordova charges their foreigner-clients P4,000 to P5,000 an hour. Clients would usually pay through money transfer companies before the cybersex performers start their so-called show.

Cordova town Mayor Adelino Sitoy plans to regulate the operations of money transfer firms in his town and asked law enforcement authorities to keep an eye and run after these firms. Sitoy said he is ready to face these companies in court.

Lapu-Lapu City Mayor Paz Radaza, meanwhile, said city policemen have constant contact with the officials of the 30 barangays in Lapu-Lapu City and she sees this as one way of preventing cybersex operations.

“Kon dunay maglakaw-lakaw nga foreigner nga may kuyog nga batan-on amo g'yud na nga panid-an. Ang gibuhat sa mga sakop sa tourist police mao nga gi-monitor nila ang mga bata nga anaa sa tourist belt aron maprotehean sila,” Radaza said.

She added that the City Tourism Office also have regular meetings with tourism stakeholders to monitor the activities of foreigners in Lapu-Lapu City.

For his part, Mandaue City Mayor Jonas Cortes said they are in close coordination with non-government organizations (NGOs) and the barangay officials to improve the advocacy against cybersex operations and human trafficking.

Mandaue City's Council for the Protection of Children is headed by the mayor's wife, Sarah, who also created similar councils in the city's 27 barangays to ensure that the entry or proliferation of such kind of illegal activity can be prevented.

Roger Paller, the city's public information officer, said the personnel of the City Social Welfare and Services (CSWS) had discovered and stopped an attempt to operate a cybersex den in one of the barangays in Mandaue City. Paller said that the mayor's wife launched last week the first ever search for the Most Child-Friendly Barangay, with prizes amounting to P400,000, to encourage barangay officials to be active in the protection of children in their respective barangays.

Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama is also confident that if barangay officials will actively monitor such illegal activities in their respective jurisdictions, it would be easy for the government to succeed in its drive against cybersex operations and human trafficking.

Rama, however, did not discount the possibility that cybersex operations are already in Cebu City, which is why he challenged barangay officials to help in the campaign against it.

In 2010, the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) raided a house in Barangay Pasil and arrested a woman for using her teenage daughter in her cybersex operations. The woman's daughter admitted that she earned money by performing sexual acts while naked in front of the webcam.

While there are parents who use their own children in cybersex operations, there are den operators who hire teenage girls and pay them P500 to P1,000 per hour.

The police admitted that it has become difficult for them monitor cybersex operations because those engaged in the business have moved their operations to discreet areas, or even inside houses.

Talisay City public information officer Vince Monterde said this is the reason why barangay officials can really help fight such illegal activities. He said the barangay officials in Talisay were asked to immediately report to the authorities if they observe any sign of cybersex and cyber pornography activities in their areas.

“So far we have not received reports of cybersex and child pornography operations in Talisay City,” Monterde said.

For his part, Naga City public information officer Garry Cabotaje said their social workers have intensified the information campaign about the ill-effects of cybersex operations to discourage people from engaging on it.

“Our social workers are closely monitoring any possible reports of parents engaged in cybersex using their kids at their homes. So far, city social welfare officer Delia Tibay said they have not encountered any case,” Cabotaje said. (To be continued…) — /QSB (FREEMAN)