Taguig LGU helps in rescue of 12 minors from human trafficking, online sexual abuse 


The Taguig City government aided government authorities in the rescue of 12 minors, including 11 who were victims of human trafficking and online sexual abuse, in three operations. 

Four minors–-a five-month-old baby, a three-year-old boy, a 13-year-old girl, and a 14-year-old boy--were rescued on May 25. Arrested by authorities during the operation were the minors’ mother. 

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Elements of the Women and Children Protection Center with a minor who was rescued in a Trafficking in Persons-Online Sexual Abuse or Exploitation of Children (TIP-OSAEC) operation in the city on March 15. The operation was in coordination with the in coordination with Taguig CSWDO (Photo from the PNP Women and Children Protection Center)

The Taguig City Social Welfare Development Office (CSWDO) assisted the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) in the rescue operation. It said the mother is under NBI custody and is facing charges for violation of the Anti-Online Sexual Abuse or Exploitation of Children law, the Anti-Child Sexual Abuse or Exploitation Materials Act in relation to the Cybercrime Prevention law, and trafficking. 

On May 10, the CSWDO and the Philippine National Police's Children Protection Center in Camp Crame saved four minors--one female and three males.

The rescue was based on the referral by the Australian Federal Police, which said an Australian national was involved in the minors' online sexual abuse and exploitation.

On May 5, four minors--a 16-year-old boy,  a 15-year-old girl, and two 13-year-old girls--were rescued with the help of the Taguig Police Substation 4, the Department of Justice's  Inter-Agency Committee Against Trafficking, the Philippines Against Child Trafficking, and the Department of Social Welfare and Development-National Capital Region.

According to the CSWDO, the rescued minors underwent medico-legal examinations and psychosocial intervention.

The city government will also facilitate the referral of the victim survivors to shelter for long-term intervention. 

"All forms of child abuse have absolutely no room in any society. No one has the right to deprive our children of that bright future they have ahead of them. In Taguig, we will continue to do everything in our power to protect the youth from these criminal elements. Rest assured that they will continue to grow up in a safe environment that allows them to flourish as individuals and human beings," said Mayor Lani Cayetano.