AFP referral leads to arrest of suspected Filipino child traffickers

We’re sorry, this feature is currently unavailable. We’re working to restore it. Please try again later.

Advertisement

This was published 4 years ago

AFP referral leads to arrest of suspected Filipino child traffickers

By Sally Rawsthorne

Five alleged victims of online child sexual abuse and four "at-risk" children have been rescued in the Philippines following a referral from the Australian Federal Police.

The teenage girls aged from 14 to 17 were saved by local police on the first of a two-day operation in the island province of Biliran, the AFP said in a release.

Filipino police rescue alleged victims of online child exploitation.

Filipino police rescue alleged victims of online child exploitation.

A 10-month-old, an 11-month-old and two two-year-old children police deemed "at-risk" were also removed from one home, while a two-year-old and 11-month-old were removed from another home on Wednesday.

On Thursday, four more alleged victims were located by police.

Loading

The children are now in the care of a Filipino government agency.

The alleged local traffickers, four sisters and one other woman, were arrested after an Australian was charged in relation to online child exploitation offences.

“These operations were the result of a case referral from the Australian Federal Police to the Philippine Internet Crimes Against Children Center (PICACC) regarding a perpetrator charged with child exploitation-related offences in Australia.”

Erica Merrin, Acting Commander of AFP South East Asia, said that the arrests demonstrated the necessity of international policing partnerships.

Advertisement
The alleged Filipino traffickers were arrested after an Australian was charged in relation to online child exploitation offences.

The alleged Filipino traffickers were arrested after an Australian was charged in relation to online child exploitation offences.

“No child should have to experience sexual exploitation and suffer the lifelong impacts of this abhorrent crime.

"Today’s outcome shows the commitment of the AFP and our partners to combat transnational child sexual exploitation, whether the offending and victims are in Australia or abroad. The arrest of five alleged facilitators and rescue of five child victims by the Philippine National Police with the assistance of International Justice Mission and the AFP highlights the effectiveness of our approach.”

Filipino police Captain Lawrence Nino Ibo said in a statement that stopping the online sexual exploitation of children was a priority for local police.

“Wherever the perpetrator is, the [police] will work closely with international agencies to ensure that these criminals are punished for their crimes. Regardless of poverty or nationality, we will fight to protect our children from those who seek to victimize them online.”

Most Viewed in National

Loading