During an entrapment operation conducted by the National Bureau of Investigation’s Anti-Human Trafficking Divisions with the help of US Department of Homeland Security, two women were arrested for allegedly exploiting their own children for the sexual benefit of an American in exchange of money.
Sisters Tessa and Fely were busted in a resort in Cavite after they agreed to meet with a foreigner agent who pretended to be a pedophile and interested with their children. The women asked for a total money of Php20,000 in exchange of their 18-year-old daughter and a picture of a 2-month-old baby. NBI Anti-Human Trafficking Divisions Chief confirmed the operation with the media.
“The arrested persons were related to the victims. Because ano eh. ‘Yung illegal activity na ‘to, ginagawa to sa bahay mismo. And of course, you have to gain the trust of the children. Eh sino ‘to? Mga anak ng kapitbahay mo, kaibigan ng mga anak mo,” Atty. Janet Francisco said during a press interview.
It was in 2014 when the suspects started sending naked pictures of their children to their American customer through the internet. In 2015, they were monitored by the US government who sought for the help of NBI. Aside from the naked photographs, it was reported that the suspects have successfully exploited some of their own children.
“The children are really groomed to do this kind of thing. So akala nila, just to help their parents, okay lang ‘yung maghubad sila, makipagtalik sa mga foreigners at early ages. So ‘yun. So nakakatakot, nag-iiba kasi ‘yung morality ng mga bata ngayon,” Atty. Francisco added.
The suspects were caught in the resort with four other children aside from the nine children directly related to them.
The suspects immediately denied all the accusations saying they were only in the resort for a vacation. They decide to bring the 2-month-old infant because no one will look after her. They also claimed that it was their foreigner customer who forces them to exploit their children. They said that the foreigner abused their need for money.
Meanwhile, the Homeland Security Inc. said that Philippines tops the list for online cyber exploitation involving children around the world.
The suspects are currently facing legal charges which include Human Trafficking and Child Pornography. The victims were under the custody of Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) for counselling.
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