Camille Naredo

Children peep through a hole and look at the aftermath of a fire at a residential area in Barangay Sineguelasan, Bacoor Cavite on November 2, 2020. George Calvelo, ABS-CBN News/File

Children peep through a hole and look at the aftermath of a fire at a residential area in Barangay Sineguelasan, Bacoor Cavite on November 2, 2020. According to residents, at least a thousand families were displaced by the fire that reached the 4th alarm during the height of Typhoon Rolly on Sunday night. George Calvelo, ABS-CBN News

Article (news)

Bacoor

Karen De Guzman

ABS-CBN News

<div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:960px;display:block" width="960"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/178695595660620201102-bacoor-fire-aftermath-GC-2748.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960" alt="Children peep through a hole and look at the aftermath of a fire at a residential area in Barangay Sineguelasan, Bacoor Cavite on November 2, 2020. George Calvelo, ABS-CBN News/File"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">Children peep through a hole and look at the aftermath of a fire at a residential area in Barangay Sineguelasan, Bacoor Cavite on November 2, 2020. <em>George Calvelo, ABS-CBN News/File</em></span></span></span></div><p>MANILA — Most of the suspects arrested for facilitating online sexual abuse and exploitation of children (OSAEC) this year are mothers, according to the Philippine National Police Women and Children Protection Center (PNP-WCPC).</p><p>Data from the WCPC showed that 14 of the 20 suspects arrested for OSAEC from January to August 2026 were mothers, or 70%.</p><p>This is higher than last year, when 32 of the 50 suspects arrested, or 64%, were mothers.</p><p>WCPC chief PBGen. Maria Sheila Portento said the trend is particularly alarming because the suspects are also getting younger.</p><p>The youngest facilitators arrested were between 23 and 35 years old, she said.</p><div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/world/2026/5/29/un-says-protecting-children-online-an-urgent-priority-1630">READ: UN says protecting children online an &#x27;urgent priority&#x27;</a></div><p>&quot;Nakakalungkot lang isipin na supposedly, mothers are the first line of defense of protection ng security ng mga bata pero dito sa kasong ito, sila &#x27;yung mga nagiging bugaw, sila &#x27;yung mga nagiging offenders,&quot; Portento said. </p><p>Portento said poverty is one of the major factors contributing to OSAEC, although it is not the only reason.</p><p>She also cited widespread internet connectivity, easily accessible payment channels and Filipinos&#x27; proficiency in English, which allows foreign perpetrators to communicate more easily with local facilitators and victims.</p><p>&quot;It&#x27;s actually our second tongue. Dito sa atin, at a young age, a Filipino child can actually converse with an English speaking person so hindi natin problema &#x27;yung communication and then of course hindi din natin maisasantabi &#x27;yung poverty. &#x27;Yun ang nagiging hanapbuhay nila,&quot; Portento explained. </p><div><br/></div><div><strong>HUNDREDS OF VICTIMS RESCUED</strong></div><p>The PNP said its efforts against OSAEC are being coordinated through the Philippine Internet Crimes Against Children Center (PICAC), a collaborative hub established in 2019 to strengthen operational coordination, intelligence sharing and capabilities against online child exploitation.</p><p>Since its establishment, PICAC has received 707 OSAEC referrals.</p><p>Of the 401 cases referred to the WCPC, 151 operations were conducted, resulting in 126 arrests, 56 convictions of local facilitators and the rescue of 583 victims.</p><p>The PNP also secured 27 convictions involving foreign nationals through cooperation with international law enforcement partners.</p><div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/5/21/dswd-seeks-to-amend-online-child-exploitation-law-to-cover-ai-1544">READ: DSWD seeks to amend online child exploitation law to cover AI</a></div><p>Portento said the impact of OSAEC can persist long after the abuse occurred, with some victims only being identified and rescued when they are already adults.</p><p>&quot;That&#x27;s why &#x27;yung victim identification unit namin is a very crucial part ng WCPC kasi kung halimbawa &#x27;yung child abuse materials nila ay nung minor sila but it&#x27;s still lurking on the internet, ma-identify pa rin sila,&quot; Portento said.  </p><p>She stressed the need for sustained psychosocial intervention because the effects of sexual abuse can emerge years after the initial abuse.</p><div><br/></div><div><strong>OTHER TRAFFICKING OPERATIONS</strong></div><div><strong><span class="fr-video fr-deletable fr-fvc fr-dvb fr-draggable" contenteditable="false" draggable="true"><iframe width="960" height="540" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/9oCzXvYtBEg??si=smT8pAASxisbWQWH&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span></strong></div><p>The WCPC also reported several recent operations involving trafficking and other crimes against women and children.</p><p>On August 11, three people were arrested and eight adults were rescued in Zamboanga after authorities foiled an alleged trafficking operation involving victims who were recruited online and promised jobs.</p><p>The victims were allegedly being prepared for a backdoor entry into Malaysia.</p><div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/technology/2026/4/27/social-media-apps-must-have-stronger-obligations-to-prevent-exploitation-of-children-official-1607">READ: Social media, messaging apps must have stronger obligations to prevent online sexual abuse, exploitation of children – official</a></div><p>&quot;Bakit dadaan tayo sa likod kung meron naman legal channels, legal routes? Alam niyo biyahe galing Zamboanga papunta ng Malaysia, napakadelikado because dadaan kayo sa open sea. Ibubuwis niyo &#x27;yung buhay niyo so doon pa lang magtataka kayo,&quot; Portento warned. </p><p>She said authorities continue to identify possible additional victims through information provided by those rescued.</p><p>The WCPC also reported an arrest in Antipolo involving traditional sexual exploitation, an illegal adoption or &quot;baby selling&quot; case in Tarlac on August 13, and an August 14 arrest in Danao City, Cebu for alleged violations of the Special Protection of Children Against Abuse, Exploitation and Discrimination Act, as well as acts of lasciviousness.</p><p>Portento also noted that authorities have yet to identify technology capable of reliably detecting real-time livestreaming of sexual abuse, making international cooperation and victim identification critical in combating OSAEC.</p><p>For Portento, the work remains difficult but meaningful.</p><p>&quot;One rescued child is still a soul saved,&quot; she said.</p>

<p>Most of the suspects arrested for facilitating online sexual abuse and exploitation of children (OSAEC) this year are mothers, according to the Philippine National Police Women and Children Protection Center.</p>

Most of the suspects arrested for facilitating online sexual abuse and exploitation of children (OSAEC) this year are mothers, according to the Philippine National Police Women and Children Protection Center.

70% of suspects arrested for online sexual abuse, exploitation of children this year are mothers— PNP

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70% of suspects arrested for online sexual abuse, exploitation of children this year are mothers— PNP

Karen De Guzman,

ABS-CBN News

Published August 17, 2026 04:49 PM PHT

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Updated August 17, 2026 05:48 PM PHT

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PNP

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women

children

OSAEC

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exploitation

online sexual abuse and exploitation of children

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