Marilyn Cahatol

Article (news)

Jeff Caparas

ABS-CBN News

<p>SARANGANI PROVINCE – A four-year-old boy has been rescued from online sexual abuse and exploitation following an operation by the Philippine National Police-Women and Children Protection Center (PNP-WCPC) Mindanao Field Unit, Monday in Maasim, Sarangani.</p><p>According to WCPC Chief PBGen Maria Sheila Portento, the operation stemmed from a referral by the Department of Justice Office of Cybercrime (DOJ-OOC), based on a Cyber Tipline Report (CTR) submitted by the United States-based National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC).</p><p>The report flagged suspicious material uploaded through the platform TikTok, believed to depict newly produced content of child sexual molestation.</p><p>Authorities found the minor in Purok Atis, Sitio Taliac, Brgy. Malbang, where he was allegedly subjected to sexual exploitation and molestation for the production of online content. </p><p>He has since been placed under the protective custody of the Maasim Municipal Social Welfare and Development Office (MSWDO), where he is receiving medical care, psychosocial support, and counseling.</p><p>Police noted that the case reflects a troubling pattern in online sexual abuse and exploitation of children (OSAEC), where victims are often abused by family members who may also produce and share exploitative materials online. </p><div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/5/27/ph-eu-officials-meet-to-intensify-efforts-vs-child-online-sexual-abuse-1518">PH, EU officials meet to intensify efforts vs child online sexual abuse</a></div><p>Such acts violate Republic Act No. 11930 or the OSAEC-CSAEM Law, Republic Act No. 7610 or the Special Protection of Children Against Abuse, Exploitation and Discrimination Act, and other related laws.</p><p>OSAEC-CSAEM cases carry severe penalties, including life imprisonment, according to Portento.</p><p>Offenders convicted of OSAEC-CSAEM crimes face the maximum penalty of life imprisonment and fines of up to P5 million.</p><div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/6/16/chr-warns-vs-posting-children-s-pics-online-amid-rise-in-abuse-cases-1549">CHR warns vs posting children&#x27;s pics online amid rise in abuse cases</a></div><div><br/></div><div><strong>3 CHILDREN RESCUED IN MISAMIS OCCIDENTAL</strong></div><p>The PNP WCPC also rescued three children and arrested a female suspect in an anti-online sexual exploitation operation in Ozamiz City on Wednesday evening, August 13.</p><p>According to Portento, the Mindanao Field Unit carried out an entrapment and rescue operation at San Jose Village, Bagakay by virtue of Warrant to Search, Seize, and Examine Computer Data (WSSECD) No. 002-2025.</p><div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/4/3/-undressing-through-ai-how-ai-is-used-to-exploit-children-1656">Cybersecurity group shows how AI is used to exploit children</a></div><p>Authorities targeted violations of Republic Act 11930, or the Anti-Online Sexual Abuse or Exploitation of Children (OSAEC) and Anti-Child Sexual Abuse or Exploitation Materials (CSAEM) Act.</p><p>With the support of the Ozamiz City Police Station, Regional Anti-Cybercrime Unit 10, City Social Welfare and Development Office, DSWD 10, and the International Justice Mission, the operation led to the arrest of one suspect, the rescue of two minor female victims, and the recovery of one child at risk. </p><p>Various pieces of evidence related to the case were also seized.</p><p>The suspect is now in police custody at the Ozamiz City Police Station for booking and legal proceedings. Meanwhile, the rescued children were placed under the care of CSWDO-Ozamiz City and DSWD 10 for assessment, evaluation, and protective services.</p><p>Portento said that the operation demonstrates the PNP-WCPC’s firm commitment to protecting children from online sexual abuse and exploitation. She also reminded the public that penalties for OSAEC and CSAEM offenses range from 8 years to life imprisonment, depending on the severity of the crime.</p><p>The WCPC urged the public to report any incidents of child online sexual abuse and exploitation through its official Facebook page at <a href="//facebook.com/wcpc.didmpnp">facebook.com/wcpc.didmpnp</a>. </p><div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/world/2024/5/26/over-300-million-children-a-year-face-sexual-abuse-online-study-713">Over 300 million children a year face sexual abuse online: study</a></div><div><br/></div><div><strong>RELATED VIDEO</strong></div><div style="text-align:center"><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/dIGwVnYvi9c?si=4crOMNCD15ZaeECs" title="YouTube video player" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe><br/></div>

<p>A four-year-old boy has been rescued from online sexual abuse and exploitation following an operation by the Philippine National Police-Women and Children Protection Center (PNP-WCPC) Mindanao Field Unit on August 18 in Maasim, Sarangani.</p>

A four-year-old boy has been rescued from online sexual abuse and exploitation following an operation by the Philippine National Police-Women and Children Protection Center (PNP-WCPC) Mindanao Field Unit on August 18 in Maasim, Sarangani.

4-yr-old boy rescued from online sexual exploitation in Sarangani

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4-yr-old boy rescued from online sexual exploitation in Sarangani

Jeff Caparas,

ABS-CBN News

Published Aug 19, 2025 06:10 PM PHT

Read More:

Child abuse

Sexual exploitation

Online

Sarangani

Misamis Occidental

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