Cebu authorities arrest 2 alleged child traffickers

Authorities in Cebu City on Saturday arrested two suspects who were allegedly engaged in the online sexual exploitation of children.

Police officers from the Philippine National Police's Women and Children's Protection Center (WCPC) also rescued two children, ages 14 and 15, during the entrapment operation in Barangay Tisa.

An 8-year-old girl and two young boys were also found at the scene, and authorities were attempting to learn if they, too, had been abused and exploited.

"The arrest of the suspects and rescue of the victims in Barangay Tisa, Cebu City is a product of a united effort by the Interagency Council Against Trafficking in persons of Region 7, WCPC, Cebu City Police Office, DSWD and International Justice Mission," said WCPC Visayas Field Unit commander Senior Superintendent Romeo I. Perigo.

The suspects had supposedly provided overseas clients with online child pornography.

One of the suspects even allegedly sexually abused a child, an activity which he then "live streamed" for money. Smart phones found at the crime scene were supposedly used in the streaming activities.

The suspects will be charged under Republic Act 9208, the Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act, and Republic Act 9775 or the Anti-Child Pornography Act in relation to Republic Act 1017 or the Cybercrime Prevention Act, and other potential violations.

The Department of Social Welfare and Development Region 7 (DSWD-7) took custody of the rescued victims. — Anna Felicia Bajo/DVM, GMA News