Angeles City moves to shut down Internet prostitution

By Ding Cervantes
November 30, 2004

Angeles City — The police has created a task force here to clamp down on Internet prostitution following a series of raids that confirmed the existence of the illegal Internet activity.

Police Station 4 chief Efren Miranda said that city police chief Senior Superintendent Jimmy Restua created the Cybersex Task Force to conduct surveillance operations and raid establishments believed to be engaged in cybersex. Senior Inspector Luisito Tan was designated head of the task force.

Restua cited reports that women, mostly migrants from other provinces, have been employed by such establishments to pose naked before Web cameras (webcams) and follow instructions, almost always sexually oriented, of viewers from all over the world who pay via credit cards for access to pornographic websites.

Restua said that the creation of the task force was in line with the order of Mayor Carmelo Lazatin to transform this city, which used to host a US military facility at Clark Field, into a wholesome, family-oriented entertainment city.

But he stressed that cyber prostitution is not widespread in Angeles. "There is no basis for describing Angeles as cybersex city," he said.

Restua, however, admitted that the Internet could be used by establishments for "exploitation and trafficking of women and children."

Only recently, at least two establishments located in Barangay Malabanias near the main gate of Clark were raided for alleged cybersex operations. Computers with webcams were found in cubicles and women who were believed to have been hired to pose nude were arrested.

Restua said those involved in the cybersex trade will be arrested and charged criminally with violation of the Revised Penal Code of the Philippines, Republic Act 9208 known as the Anti Trafficking of Persons Act of 2003, and the Special Law for the Protection of Women and Children enacted under Republic Act 7610.

One former cybersex worker interviewed by The Star said that she used to work at the second floor of a restaurant along Fields avenue in Malabanias.

"I received only some commission, usually P150, everytime an Internet customer would choose me to sexually perform before the webcam. The fee would be higher if the customer would ask that I perform sexual acts with a partner before the camera," she said.

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