PNP chief Police General Jose Melencio C. Nartatez Jr. PHOTO courtesy of Philippine National Police/FB
PAGE THREE

PNP assisting FBI manhunt of Pinoy fugitive

Jing Villamente

The Philippine National Police (PNP) on Monday expressed its readiness to assist United States authorities in tracking down a Filipino suspect accused of exploiting minors through online gaming and social media platforms.

PNP chief Police General Jose Melencio C. Nartatez Jr. said the organization is prepared to extend full cooperation to the US Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) as international efforts intensify to locate Austin Jan Sy Yatco.

Yatco is wanted in America for alleged involvement in an online group that exploited minors through gaming and social media platforms between 2019 and 2021.

“The Philippine National Police supports all efforts to make the online space safe for everybody. In this case, we are fully open to assisting the FBI to ensure that the suspect it has been looking for is tracked down and held accountable in coordination with other government agencies concerned,” Nartatez stated.

Earlier, the FBI offered a $25,000 reward for information leading to the arrest of Yatco.