THE Philippine Embassy in Washington yesterday reminded Filipinos in the United States, as well as those working onboard vessels in US territorial waters, against engaging in child pornography-related offenses.
The embassy issued the statement in view of what it said are the increasing incidents of arrests, detention and deportation of individuals due to child pornography cases by US authorities.
“US federal and state laws criminalize the production or promotion of child pornography. Individuals caught possessing, viewing, transporting and distributing child pornography can be prosecuted, penalized and deported,” the embassy said.
“In this regard, everyone is enjoined to desist from downloading, possessing, viewing, transporting, distributing and selling child pornography,” it added.
At the same time, the embassy urged Filipinos in the US to contact the embassy or the nearest Philippine Consulate General and Migrant Workers Office for consular, welfare and legal assistance, especially if they feel they have been wrongly accused of legal infractions.
Last May, agents of the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement arrested a 27-year-old Filipino residing in Baltimore, Maryland, on charges alleging that he and another individual produced videos depicting the sexual exploitation of minor boys in the Philippines.
The Filipino lawfully entered the US in September 2024 on an H-1B Visa and was employed as a medical technologist at the Sinai Hospital of Baltimore at the time of his arrest.
Last year, seven Filipino seafarers were arrested in the US on child pornography charges, the embassy said.
The seven, who were arrested in Florida, were working on cruise ships and have been charged and detained for “possession and transportation of child pornography.”
