National Capital Region Police Office chief P/BGen Jonnel C Estomo rescued 13 minors victimized by cybersex gang in Manila yesterday.
During the operation, two alleged sex traffickers were arrested one of whom was identified as Nazarene Joy Nodado, 18, while the other one is a minor.
"The positive identification, arrest of the suspects and rescue of the victims resulted from a series of intelligence- driven operation wherein our police officers engaged these criminal elements online to earn their trust," said Estomo.
Relatedly, the successful entrapment operation resulted from the joint effort of NCRPO Women and Children Protection Division led by P/Maj Joy V Datul and Regional Intelligence Division under the leadership of P/Col Romano V Cardiño in close coordination with the Department of Interior and Local Government headed by DILG Secretary Benhur Abalos.
“These kinds of crimes are very disturbing, and the worst of its kind as it targets and victimizes innocent children. The impact of cybersex crimes on children are long-term and oftentimes, ruin their lives,” Abalos said.
NCRPO and DILG appealed for intensified collaboration with the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) and the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) in combating cybercrimes, especially cyberpornography targeting the most vulnerable sectors of society such as the youth and women.
"The present administration of President Marcos strongly condemns cyberporn and other illegal activities particularly those victimizing children. Hence, we shall ensure the establishment of strengthened partnership with other units from the public and private sector alike to deliver a holistic strategy in combating these lawless elements towards our goal of a S.A.F.E. NCR," Estomo added.
The suspects and the victims were brought to the Women and Children Protection Center for documentation and preparation of appropriate complaint of Human Trafficking (Online Prostitution/Cybersex) against the offenders.