Four minor siblings alleged to be victims of sexual abuse and exploitation for several years were rescued in Lanao del Sur.

Agents of the National Bureau of Investigation-Iligan District Office and personnel of Lanao del Sur Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office, including police operatives, swooped down on a house in Barangay Linamon, Ditsaan Ramain to rescue the minors.

Authorities said the alleged perpetrators are cousins of the victims.

The NBI-Iligan District said the 17-year-old victim identified only as “Jane” sought for assistance after she was allegedly raped several times by her cousins.

“Nangyari po yung unang pang aabuso noong taong 2017 tuloy tuloy po yung 2017, 2018, 2019 at last po nangyari noong 2023 kung saan right after mangyari yun naglayas po yung complainant,” NBI-Iligan District Agent In-Charge, Atty. Medrobel Ylanan, said.

Other victims were Jane’s 16-year-old sister and her 15-year-old and seven-year-old brothers who were allegedly forced to witness the abuse.

“It turns out na pati yung dalawang kapatid nung complainant natin aging 15 and 16 ay nakaranas din ng sexual abuse doon din sa pinsan nila,” Ylanan added.

Authorities said the victims’ deceased grandfather also abused them allegedly before he died in 2023.

According to the NBI, the victims have been staying at the house of their relatives after their mother died in 2017 while their father left to work overseas.

Authorities will continue to pursue the suspects who were not around during the raid. They will face charges for violation of the Anti-Rape Law.

On the other hand, the victims were brought to the Municipal Development Office for stress debriefing and medical intervention.