Man nabbed for online child exploitation

A man suspected of online child exploitation was arrested during an entrapment operation conducted by the Regional Anti-Cybercrime Unit 3 (RACU-3) in coordination with the Arayat Municipal Police Station recently.

The suspect, a 26-year-old resident of Barangay Anao, Mexico, Pampanga, was apprehended inside a hotel in Barangay Telapayong, Arayat, following a complaint filed by a 17-year-old girl and her mother.

Authorities said the suspect was caught in the act of abusing the girl, leading to his arrest.

The suspect is facing charges in court for violating the Anti-Online Sexual Abuse or Exploitation of Children and Anti-Child Sexual Abuse or Exploitation Materials Act; Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act; Special Protection of Children Against Abuse, Exploitation and Discrimination Act; Anti-Photo and Video Voyeurism Act; Grave Coercion and Grave Threat under the Revised Penal Code; and the Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012.

Seized during the operation were a smartphone, 38 pieces of P500 boodle money, and one marked P1,000 bill.

Brigadier General Jean Fajardo, Police Regional Office 3 Director, denounced the incident and urged the public to reports similar incidents to the police.

“Ang ganitong uri ng krimen ay walang puwang sa isang ligtas at maayos na lipunan. Ang mga kriminal na nananamantala sa mga menor de edad ay kailangang agad na panagutin sa batas. Nanawagan ako sa publiko na manatiling mapagmatyag, mag-ingat, at makipagtulungan sa ating kapulisan upang mapigilan ang mga ganitong uri ng pananamantala,” Fajardo said.

“Hinihikayat namin ang lahat na agad magsumbong sa kapulisan sa oras na makaalam ng anumang insidente ng pang-aabuso o kahalintulad na krimen sa inyong lugar,” she added.