A five-month pregnant woman was arrested in her home in Mabalacat, Pampanga for allegedly selling sensitive photos and videos of her own three-year-old daughter online.

Police also rescued the child, who is now under the custody of social workers.

“Ito ‘yung mga nude pictures nilang mag-ina na madalas niyang ibigay is ‘yung kaniyang sariling anak,” PLtCol. Armelina Manalo, chief of the PNP-Women and Children Protection Center (WCPC) Luzon Field Unit, said.

Authorities also rescued the woman’s 14-year-old sister who was also reportedly a victim of online sexual exploitation.

The police are now working to locate other family members who may have also been exploited.

“Sa mga ganitong kaso kasi, kailangan din natin alisin sa harm ‘yung iba pang bata na nandoon sa environment na ‘yun, sitwasyon na ‘yun, o case na ‘yun,” PBGen. Portia Manalad, chief of the PNP WCPC, said.

The woman’s own mother did not resist when officers arrested her daughter. In a video, she was heard telling police: “Kung anong ikakabuti sa kanya, kung ikulong niyo, sige po.”

The suspect, whose name was withheld to protect the identities of the minors, reportedly charged as much as P2,000 depending on the content of the photo or video. Most of her clients were said to be foreign nationals.

“Mga foreign national na maaaring maka-access through online at mayroong pera na puwedeng pambili nitong ganitong images o kaya video,” PBGen. Manalad added.

In a video of the arrest, the woman pleaded with police not to put her in handcuffs.

“Mama, manganganak pa ako. ‘Wag niyo po ako posasan. Hindi naman po ako tatakas,” she said.

Authorities assured that she will be given proper care during detention.

“Sa BJMP, mayroon silang tugon o tamang pangangalaga sa mga ganitong kaso. Dito sa amin sa WCPC, makakaasa rin na kung ano ‘yung nararapat na pangangalaga ay mabibigay sa kaniya,” Manalad said.

While the woman refused to give a statement on camera, she told police her actions were driven by poverty.

“The usual reason kung bakit nila ginagawa ‘to is to demand for their basic needs lalo na 3 years old lang ‘yung bata at siya ay five months pregnant,” PLtCol. Manalo said.

The woman now faces charges under the Anti-Online Sexual Abuse or Exploitation of Children (OSAEC) law, the Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act, and the Cybercrime Prevention Act.