Amid trafficking, porn cases: City puts more teeth into Children’s Code

CEBU, Philippines - The Children's Code of Lapu-Lapu City, which was approved back in 2006, will now be strictly implemented following cases of human trafficking and child pornography in the city and its immediate town of Cordova.

Lapu-Lapu City Mayor Paz Radaza urged cooperation among the different national government agencies, barangay officials and the private sector for its implementation.

Radaza admitted she was alarmed over reports that some parents are allegedly the ones responsible for "feeding" their children to traffickers and porn operators who are usually foreigners.

The city mayor cited the incident in neighboring town of Cordova where an Australian national was arrested by the police for getting children pose nude in front of the camera. Some of the children were residents of Lapu-Lapu City.

The city's Children's Code underlines the numerous rights of the child and the responsibilities of various groups and individuals, such as the parents and guardians, the city, the mass media, the educational institutions, the private and public health care providers, the private and business sector, the police and the children themselves who need to be taught to exercise responsibility over their own selves.

Under the code, the private sector, particularly those who have direct contact with the children, has a corporate social responsibility on them.

Aside from saying the conduct of their business should consider the best interest of the child, the code also encourages businesses to become involved and to support programs, projects and services for children.

Mayor Radaza, during her meeting with acting Lapu-Lapu City police director Senior Superintendent Armando Radoc, directed the latter to implement the code and arrest violators.

Radoc in response assured Mayor Radaza that they will closely monitor those involved in child pornography.

Earlier, a task force has been created in Lapu-Lapu whose main function is to monitor the operations of the internet cafes, especially those near the schools. (FREEMAN)