Nine minors rescued from child porn operation in Iligan City

Nine minors have been rescued from a child pornography website operation ran by their parents and other relatives in Iligan City, Ivan Mayrina reported on GMA News' "24 Oras" on Friday.

"It is very unfortunate. And surprisingly, the very facilitator of this activity were their very own family, which consists of their parents and their siblings. It became a community-based activity. It became lucrative in their area," said Chief Superintendent Rosauro Acio, the head of the Women and Children Protection Center.

The victims, recruited from depressed areas, will undergo counseling and psychotherapy with the Department of Social Welfare Department (DSWD).

"One of the children wants to file charges against their parent. This is something that is being documented. We want to see how traumatized the child is. This is something that will take a little bit of time," Social Welfare and Development Assistant Secretary Lila Shahani said.

Five people were arrested in the raid that also led to the confiscation of sex toys and computers used for shows paid for by mostly European clients.

Each session can generate up to P150,000 but only P500 goes to the children.

"The younger the victim is, the higher the price," Acio said.

The suspects will be charged with child trafficking, child abuse, violation of the Anti-Cybercrime Law, and violation of the Dangerous Drugs for the drug paraphernalia found with the toys. —Rie Takumi/NB, GMA News