BY GLORIA LEODIVICA ARANETA

In a recent radio interview, Glen Hubahib, a Bohol-born lawyer practicing in the United States, issued a stern warning to Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) about the dangers of possessing child pornography on their mobile devices.

Hubahib, accompanied by his wife, Flor Cepedoza, spoke on the Open Forum radio program on April 17, 2024, hosted by Ardy Araneta-Batoy and Gloria Leodivica Araneta. The couple’s appearance was driven by Hubahib’s ongoing efforts to assist OFWs facing legal issues in the U.S., particularly those arrested for child pornography possession.

Hubahib emphasized the importance of avoiding the download or storage of child pornography, especially when abroad, to prevent incarceration.

He noted that once an OFW is arrested, communication with family back in the Philippines is often severed, leaving him as the bearer of bad news.

The lawyer highlighted that OFWs frequently face charges for transnational crimes, including child pornography possession and human trafficking.

“I am bothered because the incidents have proliferated,” he said.

Hubahib, a graduate of Holy Name University in Bohol for his Law Course, explained that U.S. authorities can easily detect child pornography on devices through metadata.

While some may believe they can evade detection, a factory reset is the only way to completely erase all data from a device.

He advised Filipinos working or traveling abroad to avoid possessing illegal explicit materials.

Child pornography, which depicts minors in sexual acts with adults, is a billion-dollar industry globally.

Violating U.S. federal laws can result in up to five years in prison.

“I am alarmed because most OFWs are breadwinners,” he said, expressing concern for the families affected by these crimes.

Flor added that families often struggle to communicate with incarcerated Filipinos due to slow official channels, leaving Glen as the primary link between the incarcerated individual and their family in the Philippines.

Hubahib warned that individuals deported for committing a crime are typically ineligible for a U.S. visa.

He stressed that national security is paramount, and authorities can search one’s device for illegal content at border control or through Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) without a warrant.

He concluded by noting the role of social media in the proliferation of child pornography abuse.