4 minors rescued from online sexual abuse; suspect nabbed in Banga, South Cotabato

Four minors have been rescued from online sexual abuse and exploitation in Banga, South Cotabato, according to the PNP Women and Children Protection Center–Mindanao Field Unit (WCPC-MFU) on Wednesday.

A 25-year-old male suspect was also arrested in the operation on October 3.

According to the police, the suspect used the minors to create, produce, and distribute child sexual abuse and exploitation materials in exchange for money from P50 to P600.

“Yung tatlo dito is mga kapitbahay ni perpetrator and yung isa dito is child at risk. Yung isa is kapatid actually ng perpetrator natin, 10 years old,” WCPC spokesperson Police Major Shari Vanneza Deseo told reporters in an interview.

(The three here are the perpetrator’s neighbors and the other one here is a child at risk. The other one is actually the perpetrator’s sibling, 10 years old.)

According to the police, the parents of the victims were not aware of the illegal activities of the suspect.

The suspect was a licensed teacher but not practicing. He was operating an internet cafe.

Deseo said the suspect told the police that he was selling the materials to foreigners through a social platform. 

“We were able to talk with the perpetrator. Sinabi niya na parang through social platform na ibebenta rin niya sa mga dayuhan, foreigner, actually, ang binanggit niya na parang parokyano niya dito,” Deseo said.

(We were able to talk to the perpetrator. He said that through a social platform he also sells the materials to foreigners, actually, he mentioned that they were his customers here.)

Through a warrant to search, seize, and examine computer data (WSSECD), authorities seized the suspect’s device, where a forensic examination revealed multiple files containing the illegal materials.

He is now facing charges for violation of the Anti-Online Sexual Abuse or Exploitation of Children (OSAEC) as well as the Anti-Child Sexual Abuse or Exploitation Materials (CSAEM) Act of 2022.

The victims have been turned over to Banga’s Municipal Social Welfare and Development Office (MSWDO) for immediate assessment, evaluation, and intervention.

WCPC acting chief Police Brigadier General Maria Sheila Portento said the implementation of the warrant plays a crucial role in strengthening cases and holding offenders accountable. 

She stressed that the WCPC remains steadfast in its commitment to exhaust all efforts to protect children from exploitation.

Portento said that the penalties for OSAEC and CSAEM offenses may include life imprisonment and fines of up to P5 million, depending on the gravity of the crime.

The WCPC called on the public to report any information on all kinds of child abuse and exploitation. — BM, GMA Integrated News