9 cybersex victims, including 5 minors, rescued in Cainta, Rizal

Nine male cybersex victims, including five minors, were rescued in Cainta, Rizal, during an operation by the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) Human Trafficking Division.

In an exclusive “24 Oras Weekend” report by John Consulta on Saturday, an 18-year-old female suspect was arrested during the operation. Authorities identified her after her phone rang when officers dialed the number they had been given.

“May mga menor de edad po na na-rescue rito. Natimbog po natin, nahuli natin ‘yung pinaka-mastermind nung nagbebenta nung mga video na malalaswa,” NBI Director Atty. Melvin Matibag said.

(Several minors were rescued at the scene. We apprehended the alleged mastermind behind the sale of explicit videos.)

The rescued minors were aged 11 to 16, according to Consulta’s report.

The NBI said it received a tip from an informant based in Canada who had identified the suspect through an online dating app.

Authorities said the suspect allegedly disguised the victims as girls during live shows for foreign clients, including by making them wear female school uniforms.

“Itong mga victim natin ay pinagpapanggap niyang mga babae. Ang ginagawa niya, pinagdadamit niya ng mga uniform ng mga babae,” NBI Human Trafficking Division Chief Agent Sally Laguardia said.

(She made the victims pose as girls by dressing them in female school uniforms.)

The NBI reminded parents and guardians to closely monitor their children to prevent them from becoming victims of similar schemes.

“Paalala po sa ating mga magulang, bantayan po natin ‘yung ating mga anak, mapa-babae ito o mapa-lalaki lalo na’t mga menor de edad,” Matibag said.

“Sapagkat maaaring pong sila’y nagiging biktima ng katulad nitong gawain na akala nila’y nakikipaglaro lang sa mga kaibigan, ‘yun pala ay namamanipula na para gamitin po sa mga malalaswang gawain na pinagkakakitaan,” he added.

(We remind parents to closely monitor their children—both boys and girls, especially minors—as they may fall victim to schemes like this. They may think they are simply interacting with friends but are actually being manipulated into taking part in explicit activities for profit.)

The victims are now under the custody of the Department of Social Welfare and Development.

GMA News is trying to get a statement from the suspect, who is currently detained in Muntinlupa City.— Lyjah Tiffany Bonzo/MCG, GMA News