A 51-YEAR-OLD American national was arrested in his apartment near Mango Avenue in Cebu City on Thursday, October 18, for possession of sexually explicit videos and photos of Filipina minors.
Arrested was Charles Gergley hours after operatives from the Philippine National Police’s Women and Children Protection Center–Visayas Field Unit (WCPC-VFU) implemented a search warrant in his apartment in Barangay Zapatera.
The search yielded one smartphone with an SD card, one iPad Pro, another tablet, money transfer receipts, and condoms. Also found were hundreds of sachets of candy that Gergley reportedly would give to young Filipino children.
Also found in Gergley's apartment were hundreds of pornographic images and videos, many showing the suspect engaging in sexual acts with female subjects.
Authorities said Gergley, who has been living in Cebu for five years, has been a subject of investigation since intelligence information gathered by the WCPC-VFU from a rescue operation in July revealed his involvement in online sexual exploitation of children.
International Justice Mission (IJM) Cebu Field Office director John Tanagho commended the police for the successful operation.
"IJM commends the WCPC-VFU for the courage and commitment they have shown in the fight to protect vulnerable Filipino children from online sexual exploitation," he said.
Tanagho called on the police to continue to intensify investigations and operations against both Filipinos and foreigners who sexually exploit children online.
"As a result, more children will be protected from this perverse abuse and more perpetrators will be restrained by the law -- all of this will lead to increased deterrence as online abusers realize the high risk of engaging in their selfish and vicious crimes," he said.
WCPC Visayas Chief Romeo Perigo said the place where Gergley's apartment is located was "quiet and peaceful."
"The neighborhood never would have known that sexual abuse was happening. Our investigation started with a referral from a foreign law enforcement agency. So, we are requesting our countrymen to be aware and report any unusual activity in their place to the police so that we can prevent the abuse of our women and children," he said.
Gergley will be charged with offenses under the Cybercrime Prevention Act and the Anti-Child Pornography Act, as well as for possession of child pornography with the intent to distribute, which is a non-bailable offense.
Other charges may also be filed against Gergley for other suspected acts of sexual abuse.
The WCPC-VFU conducted the operation in coordination with the Cebu City Police Office’s Women and Children Protection Desk and Special Weapons and Tactics unit.
The Anti-Cybercrime Group-Central Visayas, Inter-Agency Council against Trafficking, Department of Social Welfare and Development, and IJM also supported Thursday's operation.
As of October 1, the IJM has supported Philippine law enforcement agencies in 120 operations that led to the arrest of 179 suspected traffickers and the rescue of 415 victims.
Forty-six perpetrators have already been convicted for trafficking children into online sexual exploitation in the Philippines. (PR)