Three siblings nabbed for ‘human trafficking’

CEBU, Philippines — Three female siblings, including a minor, were arrested in a series of police operations against Online Sexual Exploitation of Children in Lapu-Lapu City resulting in the rescue of five minors last Thursday.

Operatives of the Women and Children Protection Center in Central Visayas first arrested a 16-year-old suspect who led them to her 18-year-old sister at a mall in Barangay Basak, Lapu-Lapu City Thursday afternoon.

During a follow-up operation the elder sister was arrested in Barangay Babag II at around 7 p.m. The police were able to rescue five children, ages between 5 to 13. The suspects, whose identities withheld to protect the victims, are allegedly selling the children for sexual exploitation by foreign customers online.

The operation was also assisted by members of the Special Weapons and Tactics, Lapu-Lapu City Police Office- Women and Children Protection Desk (LCPO-WCPD), Department of Social Welfare and Development, and International Justice Mission.

WCPC Visayas Field Unit chief Romeo Perigo said that child exploitation is now becoming a “lucrative business.”

The minors rescued from the suspects are now under the custody of DSWD. Criminal complaint for violations of the Republic Act (RA) 9208 or the Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act, RA 9775 or the Anti-Child Pornography Act in relation to RA 10175 or the Cybercrime Prevention Act are being prepared for filing against the suspects.

Lawyer John Tanagho, Field Office Director of IJM – Cebu, said those who sexually exploit children online could face a penalty of "life imprisonment."

“People sexually abusing and exploiting children online in so-called ‘cybersex’ or ‘cyber pornography’ risk life imprisonment when caught by the police and should stop now.  It’s especially devastating for the community to see families—in this case, 3 sisters—all involved in these serious crimes against young children,” he said. —FPL (FREEMAN)