13 victims including 12 minors rescued in Butuan City cybersex den

PRESS RELEASE

13 victims including 12 minors rescued in Butuan City cybersex den

Date: May 21, 2020

Camp Col Rafael C Rodriguez, Butuan City—-The authorities have successfully rescued 13 victims including 12 minors during an entrapment operation and implementation of Search Warrant in a cybersex den in Purok 5 Barangay Ambago, Butuan City, Agusan del Norte just this morning, May 21.

During the operation 13 victims including one adult and 12 minors were rescued. Four of the victims are 1 to 3 years old who were considered as Children at Risk. While the other nine victims are 11 to 19 years old who were forced to engage in sexual acts in exchange for monetary payment in the amount of Php2, 000.00, Php5, 000.00 up to maximum of Php20, 000.00 depending on the kind of “show” requested by the online client both from Philippines and abroad.

The operating troops are composed of PNP personnel from Women and Children Protection Center – Mindanao Field Unit, Regional Anti-Cybercrime Unit of Region 10 and Region 13, Regional Intelligence Division 13, Regional Women and Children Protection Desk 13 and Butuan City Police Office together with the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Caraga, Department of Justice (DOJ) Regional Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking (RIACAT) 13, Regional Anti-Trafficking Task Force (RATTF) 13 with the active support of International Justice Mission (NGO); Australian Federal Police and Justice, Peace & Integrity of Creation-Integrated Development Center, Inc.

The authorities implemented Warrant to Search, Seize, Examine Computer Data (WSSECD) and Rescue Operation on Online Sexual Exploitation of Children (OSEC) with SW No. 2020-2078 against the female suspect, 28 years old, female, single and a resident of Purok 5, Barangay Ambago Butuan City, for Child Pornography committed through a computer system or violation of Section 4 (c) (2) of R.A. 10175 also known as “The Cyber-Crime Prevention Act of 2012” issued by Honorable Isam J Echem-Tangonan, Issuing Judge of Branch 33, Regional Trial Court, 10th Judicial Region, Libertad, Butuan City dated May 20, 2020 which resulted in the successful arrest of the subject of operation including her live-in-partner for conspiracy.

Women and Children Protection Center – Mindanao Field Unit revealed that they started conducting surveillance and case build-up against the suspect since December of 2019 through conduct of constant cyberspace patrolling.

During conduct of search, the operating troops recovered pieces of evidence of the crime such as assorted cellphones, assorted identification cards, remittance cards, MLhuillier Receipts, Palawan Receipts, Cebuana Lhuillier Receipts, lubricant, tablet and router.

The operating personnel also recovered in plain view four improvised long firearms, 1 replica of caliber 45; one caliber 38 revolver with six live ammunition and bladed weapons which are believed to be owned by the live-in partner of the subject of operation.

Arrested suspects and recovered pieces of evidence were brought to Butuan City Police Station 3 for proper disposition while victims were turned-over to DSWD13 for processing and evaluation.

This WCPC-MFU is preparing pertinent documents for filing of cases against the arrested suspects for violations of RA 9208 (Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act of 2003) as amended by RA 10364 (Expanded Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act of 2012), RA 9775 (Anti-Child Pornography Act of 2009), RA 10175 (Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012) and RA 7610 (Special Protection of Children Against Abuse, Exploitation and Discrimination Act).

“This commendable accomplishment is attributed to the collaborative efforts of all those involved in the major police operation. The PNP, as the prime law enforcement agency of the land, is committed to protect those who are victims of all kinds of abuses especially our young children who are the future leaders of our country,” said PBGEN Esquivel, Jr.

“I encourage all the people of Caraga to help us in the prevention of crimes and ensuring peace and order in the region by immediately reporting to your nearest police station any criminal activities in your locality. Rest assured that your identification will be kept confidential and anonymous,” he added.

#TeamPNP
#PNPWeServeAndProtect
#PNPKakampiMo
#HomeOfTheBraveFriendlyPeaceCenteredPoliceForce