Taguig City Mayor Laarni Cayetano on Monday urged the people to help the city government in its fight against cybersex operations, saying her administration will not stop until those who engage in the illegal activity are held accountable.
Cayetano made the appeal on the heels of the arrest of three men engaged in cybersex operation and the rescue of two minors during a raid in Bonifacio Global City conducted by the National Bureau of Investigation and the United States Homeland Security Investigation unit.
The city government commended the operatives of the NBI Anti-Human Trafficking Division and officials of the US Department of Homeland Security for the successful operation.
Cayetano also praised the effort made by the Taguig Social Welfare Department and members of the International Justice Mission for coordinating with the NBI and the US authorities prior to their entrapment operation against the suspects.
The three suspects—Danica Bucaling, Mary Ann Buan and Jayvy Badeo—have been charged for violating Republic Act 7610 or the Special Protection of Children Against Abuse, Exploitation and Discrimination Act, and RA 10175 or the Cybercrime Prevention Act.
Over the past year, Homeland Security Investigation-Manila has collaborated with a core group of law enforcers and social health care workers in Taguig led by Mayor Cayetano to find ways to prevent the spread of online cybersex trafficking.
“We commend Mayor Cayetano for assembling a team that prioritizes this issue,” said Ransom Avilla, HSI Attaché at the US Embassy in the Philippines. “We have been working with the mayor and the city to address this growing crime in the Philippines and to bring it to the public’s attention.”
Taguig City is known for its child-friendly programs like the Lifeline Assistance for Neighbors In-need Scholarship, which offers a comprehensive scholarship program for students from poor families.
The city already received the Seal of “Child-Friendly Local Governance” for two consecutive years (2014-2015) from the Department of Social Welfare and Development and the Department of the Interior and Local Government.
The Taguig-Pateros District Hospital was also recognized for being a “Mother-Baby Friendly Hospital” in 2015 after passing the strict standards of Department of Health and for providing quality medical services to its citizens.
“Our people, especially the young ones, deserve a safe, peaceful and nurturing environment where they are protected and cared for,” Cayetano said.