CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY — The Philippine National Police’s Women and Children Protection Center (PNP WCPC) has arrested a female suspect and rescued four victims, including a baby, during a Nov. 11 operation in Bayabas, Surigao del Sur, intensifying its campaign against Online Sexual Abuse or Exploitation of Children (OSAEC).
In an emailed advisory from International Justice Mission (IJM) Wednesday, Nov. 12, Marianne van Elst-Sijtsma, IJM fellow, said the rescue operation was launched by the WCPC’s Mindanao Field Unit (MFU), led by Col. Mario M. Baquiran Jr., following a referral from the Philippine Internet Crimes against Children Center (PICACC).
The PICACC case itself originated from a referral by the United Kingdom-National Crime Agency (UK-NCA).
Authorities apprehended Leonila Talikig Trangia, who is accused of using a child to create, produce, sell, and distribute Child Sexual Abuse and Exploitation Materials (CSAEM) online using information and communication technology.
The four victims rescued from the abusive environment where they were being used to create exploitative online content include two female minors, one male minor, and an eight-month-old baby boy.
The rescued minors have since been placed under the protective custody of the Municipal Social Welfare and Development Office (MSWDO) in Bayabas for immediate assessment, evaluation, and intervention, Elst-Sijtsma’s press advisory reads in part.
As part of the operation, law enforcement implemented a Warrant to Search, Seize, and Examine Computer Data (WSSECD) to collect crucial digital evidence.
An on-site digital forensic examination of the suspect’s mobile phone was conducted by the Digital Forensic Examiner of Regional Anti-Cybercrime Unit 13, which resulted in the discovery of several CSAEM and the subsequent arrest of Trangia for its possession under the Anti-Online Sexual Abuse or Exploitation of Children (OSAEC) and Anti-Child Sexual Abuse or Exploitation Materials (CSAEM) Act (RA 11930).
The entire operation was done under the overall supervision of Brig. Gen. Maria Sheila T. Portento, the Acting Chief of the WCPC.
“The WCPC-MFU will persist in pursuing those who exploit the vulnerable through online platforms. Protecting children and victims of exploitation remains our top priority,” the WCPC said in a statement.
This action, carried out in coordination with other PNP units, DSWD-Caraga, and the MSWDO-Bayabas, is part of the PNP WCPC-MFU’s intensified campaign to dismantle OSAEC networks and protect vulnerable children.
It was conducted with the active support of NCC-OSAEC/CSAEM, Regional Inter-Agency Committee on Anti-Trafficking/Regional Anti-Trafficking Task Force 13, and IJM.
Under RA 11930, offenders may face severe penalties, including up to life imprisonment and fines reaching P5 million, depending on the gravity of the offense.
The WCPC also reminds the community that it runs a 24-hour Facebook page where citizens can report online sexual abuse and exploitation of children.
They invite everyone to share information and report on the page: PNP Women and Children Protection Center. /mr