Cordova woman arrested for selling kids’ lewd vids

CEBU, Philippines —  Authorities yesterday rescued eight minors ages 12 year old and under and arrested a 20-year-old pregnant woman in Cordova town who had been allegedly selling lewd videos of the children to foreign clients.

Owing to the sensitive nature of the case, The FREEMAN is withholding the names of the suspect and the children rescued.

Police Superintendent Romeo Perigo, chief of the Women’s and Children’s Protection Center (WCPC), said they have yet to determine the exact ages of the children rescued.

However, he said seven of them were girls while one was a boy. They may be between ages three and 12 years old.

“Minors tanan, wala pa ang edad. Mo-coordinate mi sa municipal registrar para makuha ang tinuod nga ages,” he said.

He said authorities put the woman under surveillance for about a year. It took that long because the woman’s illegal operation was allegedly well-kept.

After receiving recent reports from informants, authorities revived the monitoring efforts and later proved the reports to be positive. WCPC, International Justice Mission International Agency Council Against Trafficking-7, alongside other supporting units, then hatched the operation.

The suspect was caught inside the residence of her grandmother. Police are also checking on the grandmother’s possible participation and subject her to investigation.

Perigo said the lewd videos of the children were allegedly sold at 50 to 100 dollars maximum to foreign clients.

He added that harsh living conditions should not be made a reason to abuse children.

He warned that the cops will soon go after those who exploit children for money.

“Ang akong awhag dapat mo-stop na sila kay sooner or later madakpan nato sila. Samtang naa pa time mohunong. Mo-reform samtang na pa time. Don’t let it get to a point where there is no return,” he said.

He said suspects may face up to 20 years of imprisonment and be obligated to pay a fine amounting to millions for moral damages, among others.

The female suspect is temporarily detained in Cordova Police Station pending the filing of charges for Republic Act 9208 or Anti-Trafficking of Persons Act against her.

The rescued children, meanwhile, are in the custody of the Department of Social Welfare and Development and will undergo several recovery programs before they will be reintegrated into their families. — JMD (FREEMAN)