PNP: Most suspects in OSAEC cases were victims' mothers

Most suspects arrested in cases involving online sexual abuse and exploitation of children (OSAEC) were the victims' own mothers, according to the Philippine National Police (PNP) on Monday.

At a press briefing, PNP Women and Children Protection Center (WCPC) chief Police Brigadier General Maria Sheila Portento said 14 of the 20 OSAEC suspects arrested this year were mothers, or 70% of the total.

“For calendar year 2025, we had arrested 50 suspects, 32 of these were mothers, so that makes it 64%,” Portento said.

“And then from January to August this year, we made 20 arrests. Of these, 14 were mothers, which is 70%,” she added.

Portento said some former OSAEC and sexual abuse victims eventually become facilitators of similar crimes themselves.

According to the WCPC chief, some victims, particularly those abused as teenagers, may become familiar with how the exploitation works and see it as a way to earn money if they do not receive proper intervention.

Portento stressed the importance of rescuing victims and providing them with appropriate intervention to prevent the cycle of abuse from continuing.

She said poverty is a factor in OSAEC, along with widespread internet access, readily available payment channels, and Filipinos' fluency in English.

The PNP said the Philippine Internet Crimes Against Children Center (PICACC), established in 2019, has received 707 OSAEC referrals since its creation.

These referrals resulted in 364 operations, 202 arrests, 64 convictions of local facilitators, and the rescue of 944 victims.

Of the 401 cases specifically referred to the WCPC, 151 operations were conducted, resulting in 126 arrests, 56 convictions, and 583 rescued victims.

The WCPC also said its cooperation with foreign law enforcement agencies has resulted in 27 convictions involving foreign nationals.— MCG, GMA News