Cyberporn raid yields ‘nothing’

CEBU, Philippines- Somebody might have given the police false information to spite a neighbor.

This developed after a raid in Barangay Tejero, Cebu City by the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group-7 last night yielded nothing.

Judge Manuel Patalinghug issued the search warrant last Friday for possible child abuse against Nathaniel Mendiola, a woman who operates an internet café in Sitio ICM, Villagonzalo II, Tejero, after a minor allegedly complained that Mendiola took her pictures while she was in the nude inside his house.

The CIDG-7 electronic equipment but made no arrest during the raid since no nude photos were found in Mendiola’s house.

Mendiola believed she was falsely accused of the supposed crime. She suspected a police asset who usually drops the name of the police regional intelligence division chief is envious of them because he used to be poor.

She denied engaging in any illegal activity, particularly the taking photos of nude girls, because she has a daughter.

She said that before CIDG implemented the search warrant against her last night, neighbors  already spread rumors that they were arrested by the National Bureau of Investigation.  Mendiola said she did not mind the loose talk as she had done nothing wrong.

A source, though, told The FREEMAN that Barangay Tejero received a report of Mendiola’s alleged activities and that her attention was already called twice.

The first instance, the source said, was settled while the second complaint resulted to the implementation of the search warrant.

Mendiola, on the other hand, said she also complained against a neighbor for spreading falsehoods against her but she allegedly backed off after receiving a death threat.

While the CIDG-7 operatives did not find nude pictures inside Mendiola’s house, they seized a computer unit and a laptop.

The seized items will be turned over to the court for digital forensics and may be released back to Mendiola if nothing turns out.

Mendiola said that she was sure the police would find nothing because she is not involved in any illegal activity.  (FREEMAN)