The 17 Chinese nationals arrested in a cybersex den in Iloilo City pleaded guilty to charges for qualified trafficking in person, obscene publication and exhibition by and through information and communication technology and computer system technology, and cybercrime or computer-related fraud.

The Chinese nationals were nabbed in a raid of a cybersex den in Jaro District, Iloilo City in November 2023.

According to private lawyer, Atty. Hernando Galvez, even though an accused person has not admitted guilt on first arraignment, he or she may still enter a plea bargaining.

The guilty plea is part of the plea-bargaining agreement wherein he or she admits to committing the crime. A guilty plea, according to law, allows reduction of gravity of offense and penalty.

However, the plea bargaining agreement has limitations; the accused is set to file a motion, there should be conformity with the prosecution, and that it is allowed by the court.

Further, one of the benefits of a plea bargain is probation.

The 17 Chinese nationals remain detained at the Iloilo District Jail in Pototan town, Province of Iloilo pending a court decision.

Further, the news team tried to check on the status of the 17 accused who are also found to have violated immigration laws but has not yet received a reply from the Bureau of Immigration Central Office.