Man gets life for online human trafficking

MANILA, Philippines — A man arrested for online trafficking four years ago was sentenced to life imprisonment by the Cebu City regional trial court (RTC) on Monday.

Eul Vincent Rodriguez was found guilty of violating Republic Act 9208 or the Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act, according to a decision issued by RTC Branch 6 Judge Ester Veloso.

Rodriguez was also ordered to pay P2.6 million in damages.

Rodriguez was arrested in an entrapment in February 2014 after US immigration officials alerted Philippine authorities on his activities, according to the International Justice Mission (IJM).

One of Rodriguez’s victims, a 13-year-old boy, testified that he was forced to strip naked online for at least 20 times.

“These sexual abuse acts were... sold to foreign customers online,” the IJM said.

The IJM said Rodriguez is the 39th person convicted in the country for online sexual exploitation.

“Online traffickers who rob children of their dignity and freedom will in the end only forfeit their own freedom as the courts deliver justice for victims of online sexual exploitation,” John Tanagho, IJM Cebu field office director, said.

Last week, the Iligan City RTC sentenced two persons to 15 years in prison for online sexual exploitation of children.

The convicts, who are relatives of the victims, pleaded guilty to violating RA 10364 or the Expanded Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act, RA 7610 or the Special Protection of Children Against Abuse Law and RA 9775 or the Anti-Child Pornography Act.

The IJM said it was the fastest resolution of a cyberporn case, which was only 37 days after the perpetrators were arrested.