Online child exploiter behind bars

The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) announced Wednesday the arrest of an individual in Bombon, Camarines Sur, for alleged online sexual abuse and exploitation of children, leading to the rescue of six minors.

The operation was conducted by agents from the NBI’s Violence Against Women and Children Division (NBI-VAWCD) and the NBI Naga District Office (NBI-NADO), following a directive from NBI director Jaime B. Santiago to intensify the campaign against child online exploitation.

The arrest was for violating the “Anti-Online Sexual Abuse or Exploitation Materials (CSAEM) Act” in relation to the “Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012.”

The NBI initiated the investigation based on a referral from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Homeland Security Investigations team in Manila (HSI Manila), which reported a Filipino citizen allegedly offering child sexual abuse material (CSAEM) online for a fee.

NBI-VAWCD agents conducted verifications, intelligence gathering, and surveillance, identifying the individual and her location. They discovered the suspect was allegedly offering live sexual shows featuring minor children.

The NBI secured a court-issued Warrant to Search, Seize, and Examine Computer Data (WSSECD). On Tuesday, NBI-VAWCD and NBI-NADO agents conducted an entrapment operation at the suspect’s residence in Bombon, Camarines Sur, simultaneously serving the warrant.

The operation resulted in the arrest of the suspect and the rescue of six minor children. Examination of seized cellphones allegedly revealed photographs of four of the rescued minors being offered by the suspect for sexual abuse and exploitation. The arrested individual was presented for inquest proceedings.

Director Santiago commended the NBI agents involved and lauded the NBI-Digital Forensic Laboratory Division (for providing technical support.