PNP cybercops rescue 4 trafficked minors in CDO
AGENTS of the Philippine National Police Anti-Cybercrime Group (PNP-ACG) on Friday afternoon rescued four minors in Cagayan de Oro City who were reported to be among some 100 victims of a human trafficking ring being run by an American citizen, a report to PNP chief, General Guillermo Lorenzo T. Eleazar said.
PNP-ACG director, Brigadier Gen. Robert T. Rodriguez said the four 15-year old female residents of Cagayan de Oro City were rescued during separate operations in Lower Tambo, Macasandig and Upper Nazareth in Cagayan de Oro City 1 p.m. Friday.
Rodriguez said the four were rescued amid their continuing operation to get all the teenagers victimized by Louie Leland Valdivia alias ‘Daddy Louie,’ an American citizen said to be involved in the trafficking of minors in Cagayan de Oro City and other nearby areas.
The PNP-ACG director said they are currently partnering with other government agencies to build up a solid case to ensure the conviction of Valdivia and his cohorts.
He added that Valdivia was previously arrested by his men for the same violation. The accused is believed to have victimized around a hundred minors in Cagayan de Oro City alone.
“So far, we have already rescued 14 minor victims of the accused and filed 40 cases against him. This was made possible thru the extensive social media investigation and cyber-patrolling of our men,” Brig. Gen. Rodriguez said.
The official said members of the Regional Anti-Cybercrime Unit 10 led by Lieutenant Colonel Ignacio Gamba III, with the assistance of the Regional Anti-Trafficking Task Force, local Department of Social Welfare and Development, Regional Mobile Force Battalion 10 and the Balaod Mindanaw and Balay Mindanaw conducted the rescue operations.
The four minor victims have been turned over to the City Social Welfare and Development Office, the official said.
He added that additional cases for violation of Republic Act 7610 or the Anti-Child Abuse Law, RA 9775 or the Anti-Child Pornography Act of 2009; RA 10364 or Expanding the Anti-Trafficking in Persons Especial Women and Children Act and RA 10175 or the Anti-Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012 are being readied against Valdivia.
