The incidence of online sexual abuse and exploitation of children (OSAEC) in this city has reached ‘alarming levels,’ with authorities rescuing 10 minors over the past two months and intensifying a manhunt for the alleged mastermind behind the operations, a city official said Thursday.
Richelle Verdeprado-Mangga, head of the Bacolod City Department of Social Services and Development (DSSD), said a study by the International Justice Mission (IJM), a global human rights organization that combats violence, slavery, and exploitation, identified Bacolod as one of the country’s hotspots for online sexual abuse and exploitation of children.
From June to July, the DSSD and the Bacolod City Police Office rescued 10 minors, aged 12 to 17, from various barangays in the city. Nine of the victims were female, while one was male.
According to Verdeprado-Mangga, the rescued children identified a person believed to have recruited and directed them to perform sexual acts, which in turn were recorded using mobile phones and allegedly sold to buyers abroad.
Authorities are now conducting a manhunt for the suspect while continuing efforts to locate more than 10 additional victims described by those who have already been rescued.
The DSSD and law enforcement agencies are also investigating the possible involvement of some parents in the illegal activities.
Verdeprado-Mangga said several of the houses raided by authorities were rented properties, noting that such operations are often carried out in densely populated urban communities.
Mayor Greg Gasataya said the city government has placed the rescued children under protective custody to ensure their safety and recovery.
The victim-survivors are receiving comprehensive post-rescue services, including temporary shelter, medical examinations, psychological counseling, educational support, family interventions, and legal assistance.
Gasataya said the city government is working closely with the police to pursue the investigation and ensure that those responsible are prosecuted.
He said the city government strongly condemns these acts of exploitation and remains steadfast in its duty to protect the most vulnerable members of our community.
The mayor noted that Bacolod strengthened its child protection efforts through Executive Order No. 44, Series of 2025, which established the city’s 24/7 SAFE Hotline for reporting child abuse and gender-based violence.
He urged residents to remain vigilant and immediately report suspected cases of abuse through the hotline numbers 0909-640-7382 (TNT) and 0926-751-4615 ‘To those who endanger our children, we will hunt you down, and we will ensure that justice catches up with you,’ Gasataya said.