A NORWEGIAN national allegedly pretending to be a filmmaker to be able to recruit minor victims to pose naked in exchange for money was arrested by operatives of the Philippine National Police - Anti-cyber Crime Group (PNP-ACG) in Olongapo City on Thursday.
Senior Superintendent Gilbert Sosa, PNP-ACG director, said Hoverstad Torgeir, 61, was arrested at the 4th floor of Topaz Building, Crown Peak Apartelles, Olongapo City, by virtue of an arrest warrant issued by Judge Richard Paradeza of Olongapo City Regional Trial Court for the violation of the Anti-Child Pornography Act of 2009.
Sosa said the arrest stemmed after two minor victims, both 15 years old, sought the help of the PNP-ACG with their parents and guardians.
According to the minors, the alleged suspect introduced himself as a filmmaker abroad and that their photos and videos, which will be taken in exchange for money, will be included in a movie.
"The minors said they were repeatedly sexually harassed and abused by the alleged suspect from March to April of this year during the (photo shoot)," Sosa said.
"The victims further averred that the photos were shared by the suspect via cell phones and uploaded via internet among other pedophiles’ in ex-change of money and possible purposes of exploitation," he added.
Siezed from the operation were several sex toys and numerous nude photographs of seemingly minors.
"The PNP Investigation disclosed that the said suspect is in also in possession of Child Pornographic materials and was directly engaged and is continuously engaging in the recruitment of females who are usually of minor ages," the PNP-ACG director said.
The suspect was brought to the PNP-ACG Office including the evidences for proper disposition while the case against the suspect was filed in court. (Sunnex)