Woman gets 42 years for online child exploitation

BASEY, Samar, Philippines — A local judge has sentenced a woman to 42 years in prison for peddling her daughters in online sex in this province.

Judge Tarcelo Sabarre Jr. of the Regional Trial Court Branch 30 issued the decision a day after the case was filed in his court, after conducting just one hearing.

Sabarre told journalists that he penned the ruling after the woman, whose name was withheld, pleaded guilty to three counts of possession of child sexual abuse and exploitation materials.

As part of the plea bargain, Sabarre said a fine of P900,000 was imposed on the accused.

“I finished the case in just one hearing, very fast. After it was filed, the following day the case was finished,” said Sabarre, who is known in the judiciary for resolving cases in record time. 

The woman was arrested on March 18 for “producing and distributing” materials involving sex exploitation, which featured her daughters aged 13 and 11 years.

The minors are now under the custody of the regional office of the Depatment of Social Welfare and Development.

Provincial prosecutor Irwin Maraya welcomed the plea bargain agreement, saying this will put an end to online sex exploitation of children.

“Every conviction means more children are safe from online sexual exploitation. Perpetrators must be made aware that the online sexual exploitation of children is a severe crime that carries severe consequences,” Maraya said.