11 MINORS RESCUED
Police, agencies hold three operations in cities of Lapu-Lapu, Cebu
AUTHORITIES arrested five online traffickers and rescued 11 minors during three simultaneous operations on Thursday, March 21.
The rescued minors include children ages 2, 6, 7 and 12.
The traffickers, all women in their 20s and 30s (names withheld to protect the identities of the victims), were arrested during entrapment operations in two homes in Lapu-Lapu City around 10 a.m. Seven of the victims were rescued in Lapu-Lapu City and the rest in Cebu City.
Members of the PNP Women and Children Protection Center–Visayas Field Unit (WCPC-VFU) caught the five traffickers offering to sexually abuse the minors and stream live the exploitation in exchange for money from online predators.
“Today’s three simultaneous operations and arrest of five suspected online traffickers reflect strong commitment and coordination by WCPC Visayas, Department of Social Welfare and Development 7, Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking (IACAT) 7 and Lapu-Lapu City Police,” said lawyer John Tanagho, International Justice Mission (IJM)–Cebu Field Office director.
“Because of the relentless work of these government agencies, criminals can no longer sexually abuse children online without consequence. The high risk of arrest sends the message to criminals to get out of the business of exploiting children for profit or go to jail,” Tanagho added.
The 11 rescued victims (nine girls and two boys, with ages ranging from 2 to 17) are in the custody of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), where they are receiving trauma-informed interventions.
WCPC-VFU Chief Romeo Perigo acknowledged the collaborative support of the IACAT 7, DSWD, IJM and the Lapu-Lapu City Police Office for the arrest and rescue operations.
“WCPC-VFU will continue its operational activities in our area of responsibility to bring suspects in the court to face trial of their crimes,” he added.
As of March 18, IJM has supported Philippine law enforcement agencies in the arrest of 193 perpetrators of online sexual exploitation of children, and in the rescue of 456 victims around the country since 2011. /