Online sexual exploitation: Mother, daughter get 15 years

CEBU, Philippines — Two women, a mother and her daughter, were meted 15 years in prison after pleading guilty to offenses related to the online sexual exploitation of children (OSEC).

The decision was handed down via video conference by Regional Trial Court Branch 24 Judge Jose Nathaniel Andal in Cebu City after the two accused entered into plea bargain agreements.

 According to the International Justice Mission, one was sentenced to 15 years in prison for attempted trafficking while the other was sentenced to six years in prison for child abuse.

Both women also pleaded guilty to possession of child sexual abuse materials, resulting in additional two months sentence for each.

They were arrested in Cebu City on April 10, 2019 by the Philippine National Police’s Women and Children Protection Center – Visayas Field Unit.

Their arrest was made by a sting operation followed an investigation that revealed they were engaging in OSEC.

The two younger daughters of the mother--name withheld by The Freeman--aged 18, 21, and 6 were rescued during the operation.

The mother was sentenced to a maximum penalty of six years imprisonment for violation of RA 7610 or the Anti-Child Abuse Law.

She was also ordered to pay P50,000 in moral damages and another P50,000 in exemplary damages.

For pleading guilty to possession of child sexual exploitation materials, she was sentenced an additional two months and P100,000 fine.

On the other hand, her daughter pleaded guilty to attempted trafficking under Republic Act 9208 as amended by RA 10364 (Expanded Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act) and possession of child sexual abuse materials under RA 9775 (Anti-Child Pornography Act) and was sentenced to 15 years in prison and ordered to pay a fine of P500,000.

She was also ordered to pay P500,000 in moral damages and another P100,000 in exemplary damages.

An additional two months in prison was also meted upon the daughter for possession of child sexual exploitation materials and ordered to pay a fine of P100,000.

 IJM said that under a plea bargain agreement, the accused pleads guilty not to the original charges but to other similar offenses, usually before a court trial starts.

It said that it protects child victims from the possibility of having to testify against the perpetrators who are often family members or neighbors, reducing the possibility of re-traumatization.

IJM Cebu Field Office Director Lucille Dejito said that despite the limitations brought about by the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, they see the steadfast effort of their prosecution partners and the courts to keep the wheels of justice turning.

“We are encouraged to see how our judiciary is adapting to the new realities, making full use of available technology to see this conviction through. Technology-based, child-protective measures such as videoconferencing hearings allow us to uphold the best interest of the child during this time of pandemic,” Dejito said. — FPL (FREEMAN)