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Taguig saves 12 minors from online trafficking

June 1, 2023 Edd Reyes 237 views

AUTHORITIES rescued 12 minors, 11 of whom were victims of human trafficking and online sexual abuses in three recent operations after the city government of Taguig intensified its campaign on crime against children.

Among those rescued by authorities last May 25 were a 5-month-old baby, 3-year-old boy, a 13-year-old girl, and a 14-year-old boy. Arrested during the operation were the siblings’ mother.

According to Taguig’s City Social Welfare Development Office, which assisted the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) in the rescue operation, the mother is now under the custody of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) and was charged with violation of the Anti-Online Sexual Abuse or Exploitation of Children law, the Anti-Child Sexual Abuse or Exploitation Materials Act in relation to the Cybercrime Prevention law, and trafficking.

Last May 10, CSWDO-Taguig and the Philippine National Police’s Children Protection Center in Camp Crame rescued four minors upon referral by the Australian Federal Police, who alleged an Australian national was behind the minors’ online sexual abuse and exploitation.

On May 5, another batch of four minors–one 16-year-old boy, a 15-year-old girl, and two 13-year-old girls–were rescued with the help of the Taguig Police Substation-4, the Department of Justice’s Inter-Agency Committee Against Trafficking, the Philippines Against Child Trafficking, and the Department of Social Welfare and Development-National Capital Region.

CSWDO-Taguig said the rescued minors underwent medico-legal examinations and psychosocial intervention. The city will also facilitate the referral of the victim survivors to shelter for long-term intervention.

Mayor Lani Cayetano has always emphasized the need to uphold the rights of children. She has reiterated her commitment to child protection through her numerous programs that go beyond ensuring youth safety and security.

“All forms of child abuse have absolutely no room in any society. No one has the right to deprive our children of that bright future they have ahead of them. In Taguig, we will continue to do everything in our power to protect the youth from these criminal elements. Rest assured that they will continue to grow up in a safe environment that allows them to flourish as individuals and human beings,” Mayor Lani Cayetano said.

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