Eight children were rescued while three suspects were arrested by the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) for online sexual abuse and exploitation (OSAEC) activities in Pampanga.

NBI Director Jaime Santiago presented on Friday, Feb. 14, the three persons, whose identities have been withheld, following their arrest during an operation conducted by operatives of the NBI Human Trafficking Division (NBI-AHTRAD) in Angeles City last Feb 6.

In a statement, the NBI said that during the operation “NBI-HTRAD rescued eight minor victims, four (4) of whom were identified as victims offered for sexual exploitation."

Those arrested were  presented for inquest before the Angeles City Prosecutor’s Office for violation of Republic Act (RA) 11930, the Anti-OSAEC and Anti-Child Sexual Abuse or Exploitation Materials (CSAEM) Act, as amended.

The NBI said the operation was conducted after the NBI-HTRAD received “an information about individuals involved in exploitation of children for production of Child Sexually Abuse Materials (CSAMs) and for live streaming act in the form of sexual abuse and exploitation. These materials and live streaming content were being offered for sale in various platforms.”

“Following a thorough verification, NBI-HTRAD confirmed that there is indeed offering of these illicit materials made by one of the Subjects,” it also said. 

"The aforementioned Subject offered sex tourism package that involves her minor daughters for escort and sexual activities as enticement for her customers,” it added.

With the information gathered from the investigation, the NBI said “NBI-HTRAD applied for, and consequently secured a Warrant to Search. Seize and Examine Computer (WSSECD) issued by the Regional Trial Court, Angeles Pampanga.”

The NBI-HTRAD proceeded with the operation after receiving an information that “the Subject was again offering her four (4) minor daughters for live streaming act of sexual abuse and exploitation.”