12 victims of human trafficking, online sexual abuse rescued in Taguig

12 victims of human trafficking, online sexual abuse rescued in Taguig

MANILA, Philippines — Twelve minors, who were victims of human trafficking and online sexual abuse, have been rescued by authorities with the help of the Taguig City government in three separate operations conducted within the city.

Personnel from Social Welfare Development Office (CSWDO) of Taguig City, operatives of  the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), enforcers from Philippine National Police, and members of the Department of Justice’s (DOJ) Inter-Agency Committee Against Trafficking conducted the raids.

Of the 12 minors, four victims were rescued in each of the incidents from May 5, 10, and 25, 2023, city government said.

In particular, on May 25, 2023 CSWDO joined NBI and rescued four siblings — a 5-month-old infant, a 3-year-old boy, a 13-year-old girl, and a 14-year-old boy, from their mother.

The mother is currently under the agency’s custody.

She is facing charges for violating the Anti-Online Sexual Abuse or Exploitation of Children law, the Anti-Child Sexual Abuse or Exploitation Materials Act concerning the Cybercrime Prevention law, and trafficking.

Two weeks before this or on May 10, 2023, city government joined PNP-Children Protection Center saved four children from an Australian allegedly involved in the victims’ online sexual abuse and exploitation.

The operation stemmed from a referral made by the Australian Federal Police.

On May 5, 2023, CSWDO and various teams rescued four minors — a 16-year-old boy, a 15-year-old girl, and two 13-year-old girls.

Following the operations, Mayor Lani Cayetano emphasized the need “to uphold the rights of children.”

“All forms of child abuse have absolutely no room in any society. No one has the right to deprive our children of that bright future they have ahead of them,” she said in a statement issued Wednesday.