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MANILA, Philippines - A couple accused of making graphic videos of animals being tortured is now in jail in La Union, an animal rights group said Friday.



People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) Asia said Dorma and Vicente Ridon were arrested upon the conclusion of a year-long investigation undertaken by the National Bureau of Investigation.



The Ridons are currently on trial for crimes related to the production of a series of "crush" videos in which scantily clad young girls engage in the torture and killing of animals.



"The couple was initially charged with cruelty to animals and child abuse because the girls were minors when the videos were filmed. The Department of Justice has since added violations of the Wildlife Protection and Conservation Act (RA No. 9147) and the Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act (RA No. 9208) as well as additional child abuse violations to the charges," PETA said.



The case also prompted a Philippine senator to submit a resolution to conduct an inquiry on crush videos, and a member of Congress to file a bill that would prohibit selling, exchanging, or distributing crush videos both in the and overseas.



The crush videos depict extreme cruelty to animals, including rabbits who were skinned alive, flailed and screamed at while their ears were cut off and set on fire; a dog who was burned with a clothes iron; a monkey and several dogs who were repeatedly hit in the eye with the sharp end of a stiletto heel, and puppies who were crushed until they vomited their own internal organs.