A member of the Silay Sangguniang Panlungsod is now in hot water after the police raided a movie house he owns in the city, for allegedly showing pornographic films.

Senior Inspector Rico Santotome, chief of the Negros Occidental police Special Operations Group, yesterday said the raid at the Wilmar Theatre owned by Silay Councilor Warlito Go led to the arrest of four persons, including two minors, who were watching a pornographic film, when the raid took place.

Similar raids were also conducted by SOG operatives, assisted by the 612nd Provincial Mobile Group and NOPPO Women's and Children Concerned Desk, in the cities of Talisay and La Carlota. The raids yielded 45 pieces of digital and video compact discs containing pornographic films, a television set, a CD player and P6,662 in cash believed to be proceeds from illegal activities.

Santotome said Go was not present during the raid, although two of his employees identified as Teresita Ferrer, 68, and John Onate, and two minors who are high school students, were among those arrested by the raiding team.

Seized from the theatre of Go were 33 DVDs and VCDs containing pornographic films, a Sony wide screen and its projector, a DVD player and P820 in cash, and assorted movie tickets.

Senior Supt. Rosendo Franco, provincial police director, yesterday said Go could be held liable for showing pornographic films at his movie house. Franco, however, said he has yet to determine the charges to be filed against him, after the final report of the SOG is submitted.

Santotome said they had received mounting complaints about the showing of pornographic films at the movie house of Go.

Arrested in Talisay and La Carlota for similar violations were Abedin Sangcayo, Abdullah Lamna of Marawi City and Jessie Antonio.

Charges for violation of Article 201 in relations of RA 7610 are now being consolidated for filing against the 16 suspects, including those arrested December last year, Santotome said.

The SOG and 612nd PMG troopers were assisted by policemen of Silay, Talisay and La Carlota in conducting the raids.*GPB

back to top