Five persons allegedly engaged in the sale of child sexual abuse and exploitation materials (CSAEM) were arrested, while seven minors were rescued in Pampanga, the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) announced on Friday, Oct. 14.
The NBI identified those arrested last Oct. 6 as Syrra Reyes Songco, Ma. Elaiza Reyes Songco, Haian Bayani Songco, Ailyn Songco Flores, and Albert Dollas Flores.
It said the suspects were arrested at Syrra’s home in Lubao, Pampanga by agents of the NBI’s Anti Violence Against Women and Children Division (NBI-AVAWCD) based on a Warrant to Search, Seize and Examine Computer Data (WSSECD).
“The operation also resulted in the rescue of seven (7) minor victims, the youngest of whom is eight (8) months old. Based on the on-site examination, it was confirmed that Syrra is indeed engaged in distribution of CSAEM,” it also said.
Those arrested were charged with violations of Republic Act No. 11930, the Anti-Online Sexual Abuse or Exploitation of Children (OSAEC); RA 9208, the Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act of 2003 as amended by RA 11862 or the Expanded Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act of 2022; RA 7610, the Special Protection of Children Against Abuse, Exploitation and Discrimination Act; and RA 10175, the Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012, the NBI said.
It said the operation stemmed from “an information received regarding a certain ‘Syrra Songco’ who had been offering and selling child sexual abuse or exploitation materials (CSAEM) to foreign individuals.”
“According to the information received, an American citizen named Charles Wheat was arrested in the United States for possession, production, and distribution of CSAEM,” it said.
It noted that the American citizen “admitted that he was receiving CSAEM from Syrra who was allegedly abusing prepubescent children in the Philippines.”
TAGS: #NBI #CHILD ABUSE