Pregnant woman in cyberporn charged

CEBU, Philippines — For allegedly engaging in an online sexual exploitation of children, a woman who is believed to be pregnant is facing charges before the court.

Operatives from the PNP Women and Children Protection Center-Visayas Field Unit (WCPC-VFU) arrested Julie Anne Rebito, a resident of Cordova town, on Saturday in an entrapment operation.

Rebito was under surveillance for several months following a report that she is engaged in an online sexual exploitation in exchange for money.

Yesterday, she was charged with violation of the Cybercrime Prevention Act in relation to Anti-Child Pornography Act and Cybercrime Prevention Act in relation to Expanded Trafficking in Persons Act.

In the inquest proceeding, Rebito chose not to undergo a preliminary investigation to answer the accusations filed against her. Instead, she manifested to face the charges in court.

State Prosecutor Maruel Daguinod recommended the filing of cases before the court in Mandaue City after finding probable cause.

Rebito was arrested in a small house in Barangay Ibabao, Cordova at around 10 a.m. on June 9 after she allegedly sexually abused two girls, aged 3 and 12, through live streaming to get money from foreigners.

The house allegedly belongs to the grandmother of some of the victims. The grandmother is now under investigation for being an accomplice.

The WCPD was able to rescue six minor girls during the operation and turned them over to the social workers.

The operation is in collaboration of the Cebu Provincial Police Office's Special Weapons and Tactics, International Justice Mission and the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD)-7.

The rescued victims will undergo psychosocial interventions, including therapy and rehabilitation.

Cebu Vice Governor Agnes Magpale expressed that there is a need to increase the reward for tipsters of cyberporn operations.

She commended the efforts of the municipality of Cordova to give rewards to individuals who step out and give the government information against those who are doing illegal activities particularly cyberpornography.

However, the vice governor emphasized that people may earn more by joining cyberporn production than cooperating with authorities.

This is the reason that increasing the monetary rewards can be a good motivation.

She also appealed to the communities to report cyberporn operations especially those involving minors. —/MBG (FREEMAN)