NCRPO busts cybersex den run by teens

MANILA, Philippines — Operatives of the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) raided a cybersex den reportedly run by two teenagers in Sampaloc, Manila on Thursday.

Police arrested the two suspected traffickers – Nazarene Joy Nodado, 18, and a 17-year-old girl – and rescued 13 people during an entrapment operation at a private resort on M. Vicente street at past 11 a.m.

Maj. Anthony Alising, NCRPO public information officer, said 10 of those rescued are minors – nine girls and one boy ages 13 to 17 – while the other three are women.

NCRPO director Brig. Gen. Jonnel Estomo said the operation was in response to a tip that youngsters were being exploited through an online prostitution ring.

“The positive identification, arrest of the suspects and rescue of the victims resulted from a series of intelligence-driven operations wherein our police officers engaged these criminal elements online to earn their trust,” Estomo said in a statement.

Interior Secretary Benjamin Abalos Jr., who joined the operation, commended the NCRPO for rescuing the victims from sexual exploitation.

“These kinds of crimes are very disturbing, and the worst of its kind as it targets and victimizes innocent children,” he said.

Abalos added: “The impact of cybersex crimes on children are long-term and oftentimes, ruin their lives.”

Charges of human trafficking are being prepared against Nodado. – Romina Cabrera