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Human trafficking suspect has FB access even behind bars?


Despite being behind bars at the Cebu City Jail, is a suspected human trafficker still getting in touch with his victims via Facebook?

The International Justice Mission wants to know, as it asked the jail's management to look into the case of Clark Socorin, GMA Cebu's Lou-Anne Mae Rondina reported Wednesday.

In a letter, IJM Cebu field office special counsel Atty. Maria Laarni Sheila Guico informed Bagong Buhay Rehabilitation Center warden Johnson Calub that Socorin reportedly "has access to the Internet inside the jail."

"The accused has sent messages through Facebook to the victims dissuading them from testifying against him and threatening to contact hired killers to get back at his opponents," she said.

"We respectfully request that an investigation be conducted to verify this report and that you take appropriate action immediately," she added.

She cited Republic Act 10364 (Anti-Trafficking Act)'s provision claiming it is illegal "to tamper with, destroy, or cause the destruction of evidence, or to influence or attempt to influence witnesses, in an investigation or prosecution of a case."

Calub denied Socorin has access to Facebook, though he said Socorin's family might have access to his Facebook account.

However, the warden added Socorin could not have access to the Internet because they conduct regular checks.

Also, the city jail's investigation unit initially found no sign of threats from Socorin to the witnesses.

"Pina-open namin sa kanya ang Facebook niya, wala kaming nakita na contents na binantaan niya ang mga witness," said SJO1 Emarcito Bael, chief of the city jail's investigation unit.

Socorin was detained at the city jail on June 18, 2014.

For his part, city Vice Mayor Edgardo Labella said threatening witnesses via social media is a violation of the law.

"(I)f its done, [through] social media in jail, ...threatening witnesses on anti-trafficking case is (a gross violation) of Republic Act 9208 (Anti-Trafficking Act)," he said. — Joel Locsin/LBG, GMA News