CPA-lawyer held for human trafficking

Authorities arrested in a joint operation Michael P. Molina, a certified public accountant, lawyer and realtor, in Zamboanga City for human trafficking.

The joint operation was conducted by the Department of Justice-Office of Cybercrime, the National Bureau of Investigation-Human Trafficking Division, the NBI- Western Mindanao Regional Office, the National Center Against OSAEC and CSAEM and the DoJ-Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking, fully supported by the Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission and assisted by Exodus Philippines, a non-government organization.

Three minors were rescued by the operating team from Molina’s premises and identified six additional victims, some of whom are now adults, all believed to have suffered sexual abuse.

Seized items upon initial examination showed that Molina’s exploitation of children may have started 2012, while in-depth forensic examination of his devices will be performed as data recovered suggests that his collection and production of child abuse materials may have started as early as 2002.