CEBU, Philippines - Officials adopt livelihood initiative to combat Cordova’s cyberporn, drug issues
By providing livelihood to unemployed women, the Cebu provincial government and Cordova town have adopted a new campaign against pornography and illegal drugs at the grassroots level.
In yesterday's regular meeting of the Association of Barangay Councils in Cordova, sixth district Provincial Board Member Arliegh Sitoy, as well as 12 out of 13 barangay captains headed by ABC President Celedonio Sitoy, agreed to fast-track the implementation of the livelihood program.
PB Member Sitoy disclosed that an initial 26 sewing machines will be distributed to different barangays in Cordova through barangay officials who have been tasked to organize unemployed women.
According to him, one of the reasons why families have succumbed to doing lewd acts in the Internet was the lack of employment opportunities for locals.
"Mao gayud na ang sagad nila napugos sa pagsulod sa malaw-ay nga buhat ginamit pa gani ang ilang mga menor de edad pa nga bata (That's why most of them are forced to get involved in the illegal activity; they even go as far as using their minor children)," he said.
Sitoy also said the Cebu provincial government has vowed to support the program for Cordova.
Separately, town officials, headed by Mayor Adelino Sitoy, are studying on how to source more funds meant to provide livelihood for residents, particularly the housewives.
Cordova's village chiefs, meanwhile, have announced to fully support the campaign against child pornography.
Last year and early this year, a number of arrests were made by the police against those involved in child pornography in Barangay Cogon and other neighboring barangays.
Capitol officials were alarmed over the incidents after they learned that those arrested minors were forced by their parents to get involved in child pornography in exchange for money.
Most of their customers were reportedly foreigners based on the money transfer documents used by the suspects in their operations.
During a dialog by the police, other law enforcement agencies and local officials, they have agreed to address the problem with the residents by providing them job alternatives.
Authorities noted that pornography is not the only problem that entails children doing illegal activities. Minors are also allegedly being used by drug syndicates in their illegal operations.
Last June, a 51-year-old Australian national was arrested in Cordova for allegedly recruiting 15 minors for online pornography, though he vehemently denied the charges.
Peter James Robinson said he did not accompany the minors at the resort nor used them for pornography.
Even the siblings of the rescued minors vouched for the suspect. One of the siblings, who is already at her 20s, said they were just having an outing at the Cordova Home Village. She said the minors were invited to join them because they want to swim at the pool.
The police, together with representatives from the Children's Legal Bureau, and the Department of Social Welfare and Development, rescued four boys and 11 girls during the operation.
If she had it her way, Lapu-Lapu City Mayor Paz Radaza would sue the parents of 15 Lapu-Lapu City children who were rescued from doing online pornography in exchange for money in the town.
After learning that some of the children involved in the activity hailed from Lapu-Lapu, Radaza said parents of the rescued children should be accountable if it will be proven they had participation to the illegal operation. (FREEMAN)