Palace vows to track, prosecute cybersex peddlers

MANILA, Philippines—Malacañang on Saturday vowed to step up efforts to curb child sex abuse in the Philippines following announcement by law enforcers that cyberpornography is the No. 1 crime in the country today.

“It’s important for us to protect our minors, number one. Number two, it’s always a concern for us because we don’t want to be identified as a (haven for tourists engaging in illegal activities),” Presidential spokesperson Edwin Lacierda said in a press briefing.

“When I spoke to (Tourism) Secretary Mon Jimenez, we want to be remembered that Philippines is fun place to be in and fun in a positive way,” he said.

Senior Superintendent Gilbert Sosa, director of the PNP Anti-Transnational and Cyber Crime Division of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group, said Friday that the Philippines is among the top 10 countries in the world where cyberpornography is rampant.

Police investigation showed that Angeles City in Pampanga province, Cebu province, Cagayan de Oro City, and Metro Manila are the top four transmittal sites for online pornography, Sosa said.

“The data speaks for itself. It is now the No. 1 crime in our country. We have to act on this,” he said.

Lacierda said authorities are working to monitor and arrest those behind online sex trade.

“Well, if there are protectors, number one, we will not countenance any syndicates that will prowl on our minors and that they will be used for instrument of – as sexual instruments. That is something that we will, really, pound the hammer on,” he said.

The spokesperson also warned parents that they will be prosecuted if they are peddling their children through cyberpornography as their source of income.

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