TACLOBAN CITY — A woman in Leyte is now behind bars after authorities accused her of pimping her own children and a younger sibling in exchange for money through online sexual exploitation.
The suspect, whose identity is being withheld to protect the minors, was arrested in an entrapment operation led by the Women and Children Protection Center–Visayas Field Unit (WCPC-VFU) with support from the Philippine National Police Anti-Cybercrime Group and the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).
Authorities said they had been monitoring the suspect for weeks after receiving intelligence reports linking her to online trafficking. During the sting, several minors were rescued, including the woman’s children and sibling, who were allegedly being offered for livestreamed sexual activities to foreign clients.
Confiscated from the suspect were mobile phones, laptops, and other electronic devices believed to contain chat logs and video files used in the illegal operations. These will undergo digital forensic examination.
Police investigators said the suspect used social media and messaging applications to connect with foreign customers, arranging payments through remittance channels. “This is a heartbreaking case where the perpetrator herself is the mother and guardian.
Instead of protection, the children suffered exploitation,” a WCPC officer said.
The woman will be facing charges for violating Republic Act 11930 or the Anti-Online Sexual Abuse and Exploitation of Children Act, Republic Act 9208 or the Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act, and Republic Act 7610 or the Special Protection of Children Against Abuse, Exploitation, and Discrimination Act. Conviction could result in life imprisonment and millions in fines.
The rescued children and sibling are now under the custody of the DSWD, which will provide psychosocial interventions and protective services. “Our priority is their healing and reintegration into a safe environment,” a DSWD representative said.
Authorities renewed their call on the public to be vigilant against online child exploitation, which remains prevalent in Eastern Visayas. The Philippines has been tagged as one of the global hotspots for online sexual abuse of children due to poverty and widespread internet access.
“This arrest is a reminder that child exploitation is a crime that will never be tolerated,” police officials stressed. “Parents must be protectors, not predators.”
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