Some southern Cebu towns monitored

CEBU, Philippines - Cebu Vice Governor Agnes Magpale disclosed that there are towns in the province which are being monitored after reports of  human trafficking and child pornography have been noted.

Magpale, who co-chairs the Provincial Women’s Commission and the Provincial Council for the Welfare of Children, said that children wearing school uniforms were spotted by operatives going in and out of an apartment in a town in the south. However, the ‘trafficker’ reportedly moved to another area.

“Naay usa ka lungsod, we sent operatives. Tungod kay gated pa, namatyagan siguro mi mao naundang. But we are closely monitoring because we want to make sure gud nga nig adto namo, naa gyod,” she added.

She said that the incident in Cordova town where a 51-year-old Australian national was arrested for allegedly recruiting 15 minors for online pornography was also monitored by personnel of the Children’s Legal Bureau, National Bureau of Investigation, Department of Social Welfare and Development and the PWC.

“I was not surprised that I was informed of the recent rescue operation nga there were more than 80 children to be rescued. We were there, monitoring. We were just waiting for the successful rescue operation,” she added.

On Tuesday afternoon in Cordova town, representatives from the Children’s Legal Bureau, and the DSWD rescued four boys and 11 girls during an operation.

The Australian national, Peter James Robinson, allegedly took nude pictures of one of the victims.

Magpale said she is open to the idea of filing complaints against the parents who gave consent to their children.

“I agree with Mayor Paz Radaza that cases should be filed against the parents for tolerating, if it is true nga duna gyoy consent,” she said.

Further, PWC will closely coordinate with the CLB as to the actions to be taken against the violators.

“We are just waiting kung unsa among mahimo kay networking man mi with them. Should they need us for the persecution,” Magpale added.  (FREEMAN)