“Break the chain of abuse. Pass the Anti-Child Pornography Bill,” urged Gabriela Women’s Party Rep. Luz Ilagan after a study conducted by Talikala Foundation, a group helping prostituted women in Davao, revealed that a large number of prostituted women were once victims of child pornography. “The increase in the number of cases of child pornography in the Philippines and the number of Filipino children involved in the sex trade are alarming. If we do not stop these now, what will happen to our children?” Ilagan asked.

According to the United Nations, the Philippines ranks fourth among countries with the most number of prostituted children, reaching up to 75,000 at present. A study by the Psychological Trauma Program of the University of the Philippines notes that prostitution may now be the country’s fourth largest source of the gross national product.

“The Philippines is a signatory to the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child. It is a shame that we do not have a law protecting the basic rights of our children and penalizing those who violate them, most especially those involved in child pornography, one of the worst forms of child labor,” Ilagan said. In the Sept. 22 meeting of the House of Representatives members, Anti-Child Pornography Alliance and Philippine Legislators’ Action Committee for Children, Ilagan showed support for the Anti Child Pornography Bill. “I urge my colleagues in the Lower House, as well as in the Senate, to immediately address child sex trade in the Philippines by passing into law the Anti-Child Pornography Bill.”

Charlie V. Manalo

CAMP MACABULOS, Tarlac  — Agents of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Team (CIDT) rescued four minors and rounded-up 12 guest relation officers from a prostitution den in Bgy. San Isidro, Tarlac City yesterday.

Supt. Nestor C. Babagay, CIDT Tarlac chief, said the owner, identified as Vridge Espinosa of Bgy. San Isidro was charged with Child Prostitution and Child Abuse cases with a recommended bail of P180,000.

The women were charged with violation of Presidential Decree 969 that prohibits obscene exhibition and indecent shows. A 17-year-old  girl, a resident of Forbes Park, Manila was caught having sexual intercourse with a CIDT poseur customer during the operation.

In a report to CIDG regional officer Senior Supt. Guillermo Eleazar, Supt. Babagay said at 10:30 p.m. his men raided the massage clinic after one of his men entered the establishment by posing as customer.

The CIDG operatives found the 18 women, who were working at the clinic failed to present their health and sanitation permits from the City Health Office which endangers the health of the customers.

The four minors were turned-over to the City Social Welfare Department, all aged 17.