Police arrest man posing as minor to get children’s photos, videos

A 24-year-old man has been arrested in Hagonoy, Bulacan for allegedly grooming minors online in order to get sensitive photos and videos from them. 

John Consulta’s report in “24 Oras” on Thursday showed agents of the National Bureau of Investigation Human Trafficking Division raiding the suspect's home, where they found the sensitive media on his mobile phone. 

“Una, magpapadala siya ng friend request sa isang online platform at magpapakilala siyang ka-edad niya ang biktima at doon na magsisimula ang grooming,” said NBI Human Trafficking Division chief Sally Laguardia. 

(First, he would send a friend request on an online platform and introduce himself as being the same age as the victim, and that is where the grooming will begin.) 

“At kapag nakuha na niya yung trust ng victim, doon na manghihingi na siya ng litrato o video na malalaswa.” 

(And once he gains the victim's trust, that is when he will ask for indecent photos or videos.) 

Once the victim heeds the suspect's request, the latter will threaten the minor with spreading the sensitive photos and videos online if they do not agree to do indecent acts on video call. 

“...At na-establish natin na hindi lang pala itong biktima natin ang kanyang inaabuso, meron pang pitong menor de edad gino-groom at tinatakot na magpadala ng malalaswang litrato at video,” said Laguardia. 

(...And we established that it is not only this victim of ours whom he is abusing, there are still seven more minors he is grooming and threatening to send indecent photos and videos.) 

The suspect, who is facing charges for violation of the Anti-Online Sexual Abuse or Exploitation of Children, and Child Sexual Abuse or Exploitation Materials Act, refused to give a comment on the matter. 

The NBI advised parents to always check on their children. 

“Dapat natin bigyang atensyon ang ikinikilos ng ating mga anak. Kapag mapansin natin na kakaiba na ang pagkilos niya, hindi na nakakakain ng maayos, laging tahimik na dating hindi ganun siya, yan ay senyales na may problema na ang ating mga anak. I-open natin ang komunikasyon sa kanila, ayaw natin silang maging biktima,” said NBI director Lito Magno. 

(We should pay attention to the actions of our children. If we notice that their behavior is already unusual, they are no longer eating properly, they are always quiet when they weren't like that before—those are signs that our children have a problem. Let's open up communication with them. We don't want them to become victims.) — Vince Angelo Ferreras/BM, GMA Integrated News