Friday, August 03, 2007 Japanese held for sex filming
THREE Japanese men and their female companion were arrested for allegedly filming a sex video in Lapu-Lapu City’s uninhabited islet of Sulpa late Wednesday afternoon.
Police Chief Louie Oppus said a complaint for violations of Article 201 of the Revised Penal Code was filed against the four, who were detained until they posted bail.
Article 201 prescribes a fine of P6,000 to P12,000 and/or six to 12 years in jail for anyone found guilty of “immoral doctrines, obscene publications and exhibition, and indecent shows.”
Sulpa islet, a few meters from the Olango Island bird sanctuary, is popular among tourists in search of a pristine beach. But last Wednesday, bird sanctuary park wardens Socrates Sagarino and Ruben Taneo were drawn to an unusual scene.
Using binoculars while doing their routine shore patrol, the wardens saw a Japanese couple having sex on the beach, while two other men filmed them.
Alhough the Department of Tourism (DOT) considered the case isolated, an official said the agency still felt insulted because it has been promoting Cebu as a wholesome destination for tourists.
“This is an isolated case and we want the full force of the law imposed against the suspects,” said Undersecretary Phineas Alburo.
Five video cameras, several tapes and condoms were seized from the four, later identified as Yokomiso Masashi, 36; Takimoto Yoichiro, 40; Izuno Ihirwaki, 24; and Miyawaki Yuki, 26, the woman.
Police arrested the group after Sagarino and Taneo called up the police detachment in Olango headed by Insp. Jonel Caadlawon. Two other policemen and Caadlawon disguised themselves as vendors when they approached the islet.
Bureau of Immigration (BI) 7 Director Geronimo Rosas said he will make sure the four are blacklisted, like other foreign nationals who have breached Philippine laws.
Masashi, however, told reporters he and his girlfriend were just having sex. They had planned to roam the islets of Lapu-Lapu for 10 days, but also booked rooms at an uptown hotel in Cebu City.
Cebu Provincial Board Member Agnes Magpale said she hopes the case against the Japanese group will not suffer the same fate as the case against Korean models caught in Fort San Pedro, Cebu City in March 2002.
In that incident, police arrested two female and seven male Korean nationals for having a nude photo session near an arch overlooking the entrance of the historic fort.
However, prosecutors dismissed the complaint after the police failed to present the photos as evidence. They said the negatives were destroyed before they could get hold of these.
Magpale, who chairs the committees on tourism and on women and children, said the filing of criminal complaints is eant to send the message to all tourists that such “indecent and disrespectful acts” will not be tolerated, even amid a tourism promotion campaign.
“Morespeto lang unta sa atong kultura (They should respect our culture),” Magpale said. She also urged Lapu-Lapu City officials to be more vigilant, saying she has received reports that the incident was not the first of its kind. (AIV)
