10-year-old girl from Bacolod City among the victims

After Anthony Shultz plead guilty to three counts of producing child pornography, he was sentenced earlier this month to 84 years in jail by a US court. According to a release by human rights organization International Justice Mission (IJM), the 56-year-old American had raped minors in the Philippines and recorded the abuse for the purpose of distributing the illicit material.
Authorities conducted rescue operations for three of the victims in 2017, which took place in Olongapo City, Cavite, and Bacolod City. The victims were aged between 10 and 17 years old.
The 10-year-old victim was rescued on May 5 in Bacolod City. She reportedly became involved after allegedly being sold by her mother into sex slavery. Her mother, who is said to be in hiding, faces charges in violation of RA 10175, the Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012; RA 7610, Special Protection of Children Against Abuse, Exploitation, and Discrimination Act; and RA 10364, the Expanded Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act of 2012.
“Child sex offenders are the ‘minds and money’ fueling the rampant sexual abuse of children worldwide,” explained IJM Cebu Field Office director, Atty. John Tanagho. “The 84-year sentence of Shultz sends a strong message and is deserved considering his repeated sexual abuse of Filipino children online and in person.”
“Strong sentences, like this one, against offenders who produce and distribute child sexual abuse materials serve as an example to other countries whose citizens also fuel the demand for child sexual abuse and exploitation,” he added. “It’s time for all demand-side countries to take more seriously their global responsibility to punish, restrain, and deter OSEC (online sexual exploitation of children) offenders through sentencing that reflects the gravity of the offenses and protects vulnerable children worldwide.”
Earlier this year, Rev. Fr. Aaron Buenacosa, parish priest for Cadiz City’s St. Joseph the Worker Church, was accused of molesting a four-year-old girl. While police have refused to identify the victim or her family, they did confirm her father was a teacher and her mother worked as a secretary for the local parish.
Based on a statement provided by the victim’s grandmother, Buenacosa would invite the minor to his room but, since December, she has refused to comply.
In response to the accusations, Diocese of San Carlos Bishop Gerardo Alminaza earlier called for an investigation into the allegations./WDJ