by Miriam G. Desacada
Basey Samar–In one of the fastest litigation of an online sex case in court—resolved on the next day after it was filed—a 40-year-old mother of Sta. Rita, Samar was convicted to a maximum of 42 years imprisonment for “peddling her two minor daughters to an online sex abuser.”
Judge Tarcelo Sabarre Jr., of the Basey Samar Regional Trial Court-branch 30, told the media that he penned in his decision after the mother, whose name is withheld, pleaded guilty to three counts of possession of child sexual abuse and exploitation material (CSAEM) victimizing her two daughters, 11 and 13 years old.
As part of the plea bargaining agreement, Sabarre said she also imposed on the mother a fine of P900,000 for the three criminal charges.
“I finished the case in just one hearing; very fast. After it was filed, the following day the case was finished,” said the judge who was noted in the judiciary circle as one who speedily resolve cases in his sala in record time.
The convicted mother was arrested last March 18 by police operatives of the Women and Children Protection Center-Visayas Field Unit for “producing and distributing” CSAEM involving her two minor daughters.
The two daughters were rescued and are now under the care of the Department of Social Welfare and Development regional office.
Regional Prosecutor Irwin Maraya hailed the guilty plea agreement, saying this signalled to an end to online sex exploitation of children.
“Every conviction means more children are safe from the horrific crime of online sexual exploitation. Perpetrators must be made aware that the online sexual exploitation of children is a severe crime that carries severe consequences,” he said .
“We will not rest until every child is protected from harm and every perpetrator is held accountable for their actions,” Maraya added.
Since the pandemic time, at least 42 cases of online sex exploitation were referred by the Interpol to local law enforcers in in Eastern Visayas.
Data from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children showed that over 88.3 million videos, images and other files related to child sexual exploitation were recorded last year nationwide.
The International Justice Mission (IJM) earlier reported that they assisted in convicting 191 individuals in the Philippines for crimes related to online sexual exploitation of children (OSEC), aside from supporting 334 operations leading to the rescue of 1,113 victims.
The IJM has been collaborating with local authorities and governments to help and protect the children from OSEC threats, hold perpetrators accountable, and strengthen public justice systems to protect every minor from any violence.
The IJM, in coordination with the NBI and the PNP, have strengthened its campaign against OSEC, resulting in the rescue of many children from Biliran and Samar provinces. —Miriam G. Desacada