US Feds help PHL break up cybersex gang, rescue kids

WASHINGTON — U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) special agents in Manila worked in close cooperation with the Philippine Department of Justice (DOJ)’s Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking (IACAT) to dismantle a cybersex syndicate based in Cebu, Philippines.

 

At least seven suspects were arrested and more than a dozen children were rescued in four operations between May and September.

 

The provincial government of Cebu expressed its gratitude and commended HSI for its “efforts in helping the Cebuano community in eradicating human trafficking, cyber pornography and other forms of sexually provocative activities in Barangay Ibabao, Cordova, Cebu.”

 

On Sept. 4, HSI Manila assisted the Philippine National Police (PNP) in busting a cyber pornography operation in Cordova, Cebu, where Maricel Ayad, 31, and Dinesio Encallado Inoc, 37, were arrested under the Philippine Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act of 2003.

 

Three female victims aged 2, 9 and 11 were rescued.

 

Ayad and Inoc are alleged to have sexually exploited the minor victims by forcing them to perform lewd acts in front of a web camera for foreign child predators who paid a fee.

 

HSI special agents in Portland, Maine, were the first to detect the transaction between those involved in this cyber pornography in Cordova.

 

The children were turned over to the custody of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).

 

Additionally, HSI Manila assisted the Philippine National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) and DSWD in rescuing 13 children on Sept. 6 at a Lapu-Lapu City high school and a Cordova elementary school after tracing photos of the children aged 8 to 17 on social media websites.

 

The photos were discovered on digital media that was seized last May in Cordova, which resulted in the arrest of Eileen Ontong, 35, and Wilfredo Ontong, 37.

 

HSI Norfolk, Va., special agents assisted in this investigation.

 

On July 12, HSI Manila, the PNP and the International Justice Mission (IJM), IACAT’s non-governmental organization representing the children sector, executed a search warrant at a Barangay Malabanias, Angeles City, Pampanga residence being used to conduct cybersex with minors to customers around the world, including customers from the United States.

 

Law enforcers arrested Maybel Oranga, Bryan Sagmit and Christian Chameco on human trafficking and production of child pornography related charges.

 

If convicted, they face life in prison and fines of up to $455,000.

 

To date, the IACAT has successfully prosecuted and convicted 129 human traffickers since its inception in 2005 with most of the convictions happening in the past three years.

 

HSI encourages the public to report suspected child predators and any suspicious activity through its toll-free hotline at 1-866-DHS-2-ICE or by completing its online tip form.

 

Both are staffed around the clock by investigators.  — Filipino Reporter