On World Day against Trafficking Three Children Rescued
Online Sexual Exploitation of Children
TAGUIG CITY, PHILIPPINES - Three children were rescued last night from online sexual exploitation in Taguig as officers of the Philippine National Police, Women and Children Protection Center (PNP-WCPC) together with International Justice Mission conducted rescue operations. They arrested three suspects - two sisters and another man.
During the course of this investigation, they learned that one of the female suspects was offering to abuse her 8-year-old daughter online in exchange for money just this month. All three suspects lived under the same roof used the same internet connection.
Atty. Reynaldo Bicol, Field Office Director of IJM Manila, said, “Last night’s operation could not have been more timely as this happened just as the world celebrates World Day against Trafficking. This is proof that the Philippine National Police is fully committed to hold those exploiting children online accountable for their crimes.”
Just hours before the rescue unfolded, WCPC Chief Macavinta was delivering his address in the official ceremonies of Word Day against Trafficking. He expressed his delight on the relevance of this rescue, “As everyone celebrates the World Day against Trafficking, me included, the men and women of the WCPC decided to commemorate this day with a rescue operation before the day ended. This serves as a fitting example to the public that we are serious about ending OSEC.”
“Serendipity occurs in the most delightful of circumstance. I was taking part in the ceremonies of the World Day against Trafficking and just as we were celebrating this occasion with our partner agencies, when our agents got a break from an ongoing investigation. This is indeed assurance that we are on the side of good as events cooperated to make justice happen," says Maria Sheila T. Portento, Chief of Anti-Trafficking in Persons Division (ATIPD).
The survivors are now in care of the City Social Welfare and Development Office and are receiving aftercare interventions to help them overcome this ordeal.