Pregnant woman, mother nabbed for trafficking

CEBU, Philippines — A 22-year-old pregnant woman was caught offering to sexually abuse her 6-year- old daughter and her sisters, ages 18 and 21, and live stream the exploitation in exchange for money from an online predator.

Her 43-year-old mother was also arrested after claiming the money sent for the suspect. Members of the police’s Women and Children Protection Center - Visayas Field Unit (WCPC - VFU) carried out the entrapment operation in Cebu City around 1 p.m. yesterday.  Police recovered mobile phones and money transfer receipts, among other evidence.

“While the Philippines has been dubbed the global ‘epicenter’ for the live-streaming of child sexual abuse, it is quickly becoming the leader in combating this horrendous crime. International Justice Mission (IJM) praises the PNP Women and Children’s Protection Center (WCPC) as they prioritize rescuing the most vulnerable members of society—young children and women being sexually abused and exploited in OSEC,” said Atty. John Tanagho, Director of IJM – Cebu Field Office.

“Across the country, online traffickers are now routinely arrested and charged with non-bailable offenses such as human trafficking, along with cybercrimes and producing child pornography, thanks to diligent and focused police investigations and operations,” he added.

The Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking (IACAT)-7, the Women and Children Protection Desk (WCPD) and Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) of the Cebu City Police Office, Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) 7, and International Justice Mission (IJM) also supported the operation.

The operation was a result of the Advanced Investigative Workshop (AIW). The AIW was presented by IJM, with funding from the US Department of State, in partnership with Australian Federal Police, National Police of the Netherlands, UK National Crime Agency, US Federal Bureau of Investigation, and Queensland Police Service, and with additional support from Western Union, PLDT, Australian Centre to Counter Child Exploitation, and INTERPOL.

The outcomes in this matter were supported by the Philippine Internet Crimes Against Children Center (PICACC). The PICACC serves as a hub for domestic Philippine and foreign law enforcement collaborative efforts to combat online sexual exploitation of children (OSEC). The PICACC is a joint initiative between the National Bureau of Investigation and the Philippine National Police supported by the Australian Federal Police, United Kingdom National Crime Agency and non-government organization International Justice Mission.

The victims are now in custody of the DSWD and are receiving trauma-informed care. The operation happened five days after authorities rescued two sisters, ages 15 and 5 years old, from OSEC in San Remigio, Cebu. The rescue was a result of a case referral from UK’s National Crime Agency (NCA) during the AIW. Authorities are preparing charges against their mother.

Occurring in different communities in the Philippines, OSEC is a crime that violates the Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act or Republic Act (RA) No. 9208 (as amended by RA 10364), which comes with a maximum penalty of life imprisonment and a fine of two (2) million to five (5) million pesos.

Typical OSEC offenses also violate RA 10175 (Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012) and RA 9775 (Anti-Child Pornography Act of 2009). Both have penalties equivalent to 20 to 40 years imprisonment.

As of April 3, 2019, IJM has supported Philippine law enforcement agencies in the arrest of 194 OSEC perpetrators and in the rescue of 466 victims around the country since 2011. (FREEMAN)