House probe into Jeffrey Epstein operations, connections in PH sought

A proposed resolution seeking an investigation into the alleged Philippine-based operations and connection of convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein has been filed at the House of Representatives.

Progressive Makabayan bloc filed proposed House Resolution No.762, directing the House committees on public information and women and gender equality to hold a legislative inquiry on reports that Epstein hired a Philippine-based team to wipe out alleged criminal activity from the web.

"There is a need to investigate this to determine the extent of Epstein’s network within the Philippines, to identify any local individuals or entities that may have aided or benefited from his operations, and to assess vulnerabilities that allowed the Philippines to be used as an operational hub for the clean-up of the name of an international sex offender," the resolution read.

"The possible intersection between a known international sexual exploitation offender and Philippine-based firm, regardless of whether such services were directly involved in abuse, necessitates careful legislative and policy scrutiny by the House of Representatives to ensure that no regulatory or enforcement gaps expose Filipino women and children to exploitation, grooming, coercion, or trafficking," it added.

Under the resolution, Gabriela Rep. Sarah Jane Elago, Kabataan Rep. Renee Louise Co, and ACT Teachers Rep Antonio Tinio wanted to uncover the full nature, scope, and duration of Epstein’s activities and networks within the Philippines.

They also wanted to identify Filipino agencies or service providers employed or engaged by Epstein or his associates.

They said the House panels should also investigate allegations of media manipulation and reputation management conducted from the Philippines aimed at shielding Epstein from accountability; and recommend legislative measures to tighten regulations, enhance oversight, and impose stricter penalties to prevent the Philippines from being used as a base for international crimes of sexual exploitation, human trafficking, and financial crimes.

Based on the documents from the US Department of Justice, Al Seckel allegedly helped Epstein outsource a firm in the Philippines to conceal the disgraced financier's alleged crimes on the internet by covering up negative links and promoting positive ones. 

Al Seckel, who is married to Ghislaine Maxwell’s sister. Maxwell is Epstein’s girlfriend and procurer.

“Google suggests has gotten rid of two negatives … jeffry epstein jail and one jeffrey epstein pedophile … another thing I’ve had the Philippine work on since day one,” Seckel told Epstein in an email dated December 7, 2010.

“Our group in the Philippines is building links and links to our sites, pseudo sites, and the other Jeffrey Epsteins of the world," Seckel’s email in October 2010 stated.

The cover-up was done by creating many links to the websites and pages they created about Epstein, emphasizing his supposed involvement in areas like science and sports.

“Wikipedia was an important victory, as it will always be at the top of the search engine results. Now the head lines do not mention convicted sex offender or pedophile. Instead, Philanthrophic work, Epstein Foundation, Promotion of Scientists,” Seckel said in an email dated December 16, 2010.

Epstein was arrested in 2019 for trafficking and abusing underage girls in the US and abroad. He died in jail later that year while waiting for trial.—AOL, GMA Integrated News