Group ‘unhappy’ over cybersex case progress

AN ALLIANCE of women’s organizations has expressed concern over the progress of a large-scale trafficking-in-persons case filed against two Swedish nationals accused of running a cybersex den in Cagayan de Oro.

Lalae Garcia of Tubaga Movement, a federation of several groups advocating for women’s rights, said they are “unhappy” over the progress of the case, which has been moving at a turtle’s pace since it was filed almost a year ago.

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The case stemmed from the raid of cybersex den last April, which resulted in the arrest of the two Swedes and the rescue of 18 female models.

At least, four Filipinos who allegedly manned the cybersex den in Barangay Kauswagan were also arrested. One of them, a woman, later turned state witness.

While they are hoping for a speedy trial, Garcia said the slow progress of the case has even heightened their vigilance to monitor its developments.

Filed in May last year, the case is still on pretrial stage as the court is still deliberating on the motion of the defense to post bail.

Tubaga expressed confidence that the court would turn down the petition, citing the material evidence confiscated from the cybersex den, including the testimonies of witnesses.

Garcia said they consider it a consolation that the court hears the case every month, noting this was already tolerable compared to other cases that take months before getting another court date. (ALR)