PNP-WCPC rescues 11 trafficking victims, 2 nabbed
ELEVEN “trafficking in persons” victims were rescued by agents of the Philippine National Police Women and Children Protection Center (PNP-WCPC) in separate operations in the countryside this week, which also led to the arrest of two suspects, a report to the PNP chief, General Benjamin C. Acorda Jr. said on Thursday.
Two of the victims were rescued during an entrapment operation in Barangays Sto. Niño and Lagundi in Plaridel, Bulacan, which likewise resulted in the arrest of one suspect who is now facing charges for violations of Republic Acts (RAs) 9208 and 11930, said PNP-WCPC director Colonel Portia B. Manalad said.
RA 9208, otherwise known as the Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act of 2003, instituted policies to eliminate trafficking in persons, especially women and children. On the other hand, RA 11930 punishes online sexual abuse or exploitation of children, penalizing the production, distribution, possession and access of child sexual abuse or exploitation materials.
Officers from the PNP-WCPC, with the assistance of the Plaridel Municipal Police Station (MPS), led by Lieutenant Col. Melchor A. Boaquin and the Plaridel Municipal Social Welfare and Development Office (MSWDO) led by Laarni Lyn Hilera conducted the operation.
Manalad said that prior to the Bulacan operation, an Australian citizen was arrested by officers from the Australian Border Police at Sydney International Airport after authorities detected “child abuse material” or CAM images and videos in his mobile phone.
The suspect came from Bangkok, Thailand.
The PNP-WCPC director said that a technical analysis of the suspect’s mobile phone revealed Facebook Messenger conversations between him and various female adults from the Philippines who are believed to have received financial payment from the accused in exchange for the production of CAM materials they have to send to the suspect.
Acting on the information from Australian authorities, the PNP-WCPC conducted the entrapment operation, which led to the rescue of the victims and the arrest of the suspect.
All three were taken to the PNP-WCPC headquarters in Camp Crame, Quezon City.
The other eight female trafficking victims were rescued in simultaneous operations in different parts of Nueva Vizcaya and Quirino provinces on Tuesday, the official said.
Agents of the WCPD Luzon Field Unit led by Lt. Col. Lucrecio L. Rodiqueza Jr. rescued three of the trafficking in persons victims in Bgy. Bone South and Bgy. Poblacion in Aritao, Nueva Vizcaya.
Three others were rescued in Bgy. Don Domingo Maldela in Bayombong, Nueva Vizcaya, while another was rescued in Bgy. Salvacion in Saguday, Quirino province.
Another minor victim was rescued in Bgy. Lamu in Dupax del Norte in Nueva Vizcaya.
The 11th victim was rescued in another operation in Bgy. Banga in Plaridel, Bulacan, where one suspect was also arrested.
Manalad said they are further stepping up their effort to save victims of women and child trafficking in coordination with local territorial units, various government agencies led by the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) and foreign agencies.
“Indeed, the war on online sexual abuse and exploitation (OSAEC) cannot be addressed by one agency of the government alone, but by the collaborative efforts of all agencies involved, including civil societies and the public. This is a war anchored on our deep sense of duty to protect our children from harm, which now has even expanded to cyberspace,” said the official.
According to Manalad, as the Philippines maintains its Tier 1 ranking for eight consecutive years in its campaign against trafficking in persons, the PNP-WCPC welcomes the full and open support of the government in declaring war against OSAEC/TIP, acknowledging that the alarming and growing reports on OSAEC/TIP need the full attention of the government.
She said that the PNP-WCPC runs a Facebook page 24 hours: PNP Women and Children Protection Center https://www.facebook.com/wcpc – where people can report online sexual abuse and exploitation of children.
“Should you have any information that may help us rescue victims and investigate perpetrators, please do not hesitate to get in touch with us and report and share information on this Facebook page,” Manalad said.
