AN eight-month-old baby and six other minors were rescued while five persons accused of involvement in child sex pornography were arrested by operatives of the National Bureau of Investigation-Anti Violence Against Women and Children Division (NBI-AVAWCD) in an operation in Pampanga.
Arrested were Syrra Songco, Ma. Elaiza Songco, Haian Songco, Ailyn Flores, and Albert Flores.
The five were charged with 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, Republic Act 9208 or the Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act of 2003 as amended by Republic Act 11862 or the Expanded Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act of 2022, and Republic Act 7610 or the Special Protection of Children Against Abuse, Exploitation and Discrimination Act, all of which are in relation to Section 6 of Republic Act 10175 or the Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012.
The arrest of the suspects stemmed from an information received by the NBI-AVAWCD linking them to the unlawful sale of child sexual abuse or exploitation materials (CSAEM) to foreign patrons.
According to the information, an American named Charles Wheat was arrested in the U.S. for possession, production, and distribution of CSAEM.
During investigation, Wheat admitted that he was receiving CSAEM of pre-pubescent children in the Philippines from suspect Syrra.
An investigation conducted by the NBI-AVAWCD confirmed that Syrra was indeed engaged in the sale and propagation of CSAEM to foreign individuals in exchange for monetary consideration.
Following confirmation of the suspects’ illegal activities, NBI-AVAWCD operatives immediately launched an entrapment and rescue operation.
Armed with a warrant to search, seize and examine computer data (WSSECD) and in cooperation with the Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking in Persons (IACAT), HSI Transnational Crime Investigative Unit (HSI-TCIU), and City Social Welfare and Development (CSWD) of Pampanga, NBI-AVAWCD operatives, along with NBI-Digital Forensic Laboratory (NBI-DFL) agents, proceeded to the residence of Syrra at Sadsad St., San Roque, Dau Uno, Lubao, Pampanga.
An on-site examination confirmed that Syrra was engaged in the distribution of child exploitation materials.
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