MANILA, Philippines — A man has been sentenced to 31 years in prison for online sexual exploitation of children in Cebu City.
The minimum jail term was meted on Joey Michael Donozo after he pleaded guilty to the lesser offense of attempted trafficking under the Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act and 16 counts of acts of lasciviousness under the Revised Penal Code.
Cebu City regional trial court Judge Dax Xenox sentenced Donozo to 15 years in prison for attempted trafficking and one year for each count of acts of lasciviousness.
Donozo was also ordered to pay P600,000 to each of his six victims.
John Tanagho of the Cebu field office of the International Justice Mission, which is closely working with Philippine law enforcement agencies in going after online sex offenders, said the conviction was another victory for those fighting sexual abuse of children.
“Children are safer in Cebu because of the conviction of Joey Donozo. The boys he trafficked and abused to create sexual materials are safe from his predatory acts,” Tanagho said.
Donozo was arrested on Feb. 16 last year. Six boys, all below 15 years, were rescued.
The operation stemmed from an alert from the Australian federal police regarding Donozo’s activities.