A MOTHER was arrested by authorities for offering her four-year-old daughter and 15-year-old sister sister for sex to online predators on Wednesday morning, August 29, in Minglanilla Cebu.
The Philippine National Police Women and Children Protection Center–Visayas Field Unit (WCPC-VFU) arrested Maryann (not her real name), 25, and rescued her daughter and sister in an entrapment operation in the suspect's home around 9:30 a.m.
During the entrapment, Maryann offered again to sexually abuse her daughter and livestream those acts to get money from a foreigner online, a case of online sexual exploitation of children or Osec.
"Today, the suspect of Osec used a different name to hide her identity and cover her criminal activity. But the police still managed to catch her for abusing children. We appeal to other people committing the same offenses to stop this illegal activity. If you continue, the police will find you and put you in jail," said WCPC-VFU chief Senior Superintendent Romeo Perigo.
Police said they have undergone surveillance against Maryann for several months.
She had allegedly created and transmitted online sexually explicit photographs involving her daughter as well as her 15-year-old sister, who was rescued in nearby Carcar City later in the morning.
"Minglanilla is added to the list of Philippine towns and cities where police have arrested suspected traffickers for sexually abusing and exploiting children online. Over time these operations send the message to traffickers that it's too risky to abuse children. In fact, because the police have intensified their efforts against Osec, more children will be safe from this violent and sick abuse, both now and in the future," said International Justice Mission Cebu Field Office Director lawyer John Tanagho.
This is WCPC's first Osec operation in Minglanilla.
Last month, three suspects were arrested, and four children were rescued in multiple rescue operations in Samar on July 28 and Cebu City on July 9.
The suspected online trafficker will be charged under Republic Act (RA) 9208 or the AntiTrafficking in Persons Act as amended by RA 10364, and RA 9775 or the Anti-Child Pornography Act in relation to RA 10175 or the Cybercrime Prevention Act.
The rescued victims are now placed under protective custody of the Department of Social Welfare and Development. The will receive psychosocial interventions, including therapy and rehabilitation.
The rescued victims of OSEC would only be returned to the community after a comprehensive family home and risk assessment is conducted to confirm that the home is a safe place for the children and that they will no longer be sexually abused or exploited by parents, relatives or neighbors. (with KAL of VoxPop Cebu/VoxPop Philippines)