The Anti-Trafficking in Persons Division of the Philippine National Police Women and Children Protection Center (PNP-WCPC-ATIPD) rescued three minors, two female and one male, ages 4 to 8, in a cybersex operation in Mabalacat, Pampanga Tuesday afternoon.

It came as a result of a surveillance operation conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) of the United States.

According to Chief Superintendent Rosauro Acio, chief of the Women and Children Protection Center (WCPC), the information came from foreign counterparts.

"The information was turned over to us by the US-DOJ through the FBI. They have been investigating these fake accounts for several months. It was very suspicious because it was an online sex webcam, exploiting children," Acio said.

In surveillance photos taken by the FBI from the internet, naked children posed in front of the computer, performed live shows and online sex.

Police Senior Inspector Maimona Macasasa, spokesperson of the PNP-WCPC said, “Ibinigay sa atin ang mga pictures kung saan dito sa ating bansa nagaganap itong online sexual exploitation sa mga kabataan. Binigay din sa atin ang IP address nu’ng location kung saan nangyari yung crime.”

(They gave us photos of where this online sexual exploitation is taking place. They also gave the IP address of the location.)

The PNP-ATIPD traced the cybersex operation to a house at Block 22, Lot 15, Mapagpunyagi Street, Barangay Tabun, Fiesta Communities, Mabalacat, Pampanga.

Authorities found out that the house is for sale and posted in online shopping sites.

“Hindi rin kami nahirapan sa pag-surveillance sa area kase, nagkataon yung may-ari nag-post sa Facebook, na yung bahay niya is for sale. ‘Yun din yung way para sa ating operatives na magpanggap na customer ng bahay,” Macasasa said.

(We did not have a hard time taking surveillance since the house in question was on sale. Operatives pretended to be potential buyers.)

When operatives entered the house, they were able to confirm that it is the same house as the photos taken by the FBI.

They found the same chair being used by the kids and the Hello Kitty backdrop as shown in the surveillance photos provided.

Macasasa said, “Pati yung upuan, pati yung background niya, parehas sa picture na ibinigay sa atin ng taga-FBI. Agad natin itong in-apply-an ng search warrant.”

(The chair and the background found in the house resembled those in the photos. We applied for a search warrant.)

Armed with a search warrant, operatives found three children inside the house.

The children were immediately rescued by the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).

Operatives recovered receipts of paid transactions made by foreign clients based abroad.

Also recovered were sex toys allegedly used by the children in their online sexual transactions.

Authorities arrested two suspects, live-in partners Luisa Pineda and Raymond Manganti, alleged operators of the cybersex den. Two of the three rescued children are the suspects’ close relatives.

“Plano sana i-entrap ang mga suspek dahil patuloy silang nakikipag-communicate sa decoy natin na nagpapanggap na customer. Madulas sila kaya nag-decide na i-serve na lang ang search warrant. Katatapos lang ng eksena kaya na-rescue natin ang tatlong minor na ginagamit doon sa online sexual exploitation,” Macasasa said.

(The original plan was to catch the perpetrators in the act. But the operatives decided to simply serve the warrant. The online session has just ended, so we were able to rescue three minors.)

Surveillance photos of the FBI also showed children ages 13 up also being used in the cybersex operation.

Authorities are still investigating the whereabouts of the other children.

According to Acio, it is puzzling to note that the parents themselves subject their own children to sexual exploitation.

In this case, the suspects even come from middle-income class families.

“You see the raw and bare nudity of the child, 8-years old, being shown live on camera, being shown and exploited by their own loved ones in their very own homes and abode. It’s a pity that it should be coming from their own parents sometimes, and to think they are parents, hindi ordinaryong naghihirap na nakikita natin sa squatters eh. Parang middle-class selling cars, house and lots. Talagang distorted ang mind and sanity (These parents are not the typical poor parents found in squalor. They appear to be from the middle class selling cars, houses and lots. Their mind and sanity are distorted),” Acio added.

Patrons of the cybersex den are pedophiles in various countries.

“Ang ating pinaka-rich source of information is from our counterpart na law enforcer from abroad (The law enforcers from abroad served as a rich source of information) because the clients are foreigners who are pedophiles coming from Western countries coming from Italy, Belgium, Germany, Western Europe,” he said.

The WCPC Chief also issued a warning to parents.

“Nangyayari ang mga ganitong exploitation sa neighborhood, sa sariling komunidad. Ang hindi mo alam, kapitbahay mo lang pala. Hindi dapat malingat ang mga magulang sa komunidad na mawala sa paningin nila ang mga anak. They should always be on guard. Kapag nawawala na ang anak nila, which is not usual na mawala ng ganon katagal, then they better be suspicious,” Acio said.

(Exploitation takes place in the neighborhood, in the community. Who knows, the predator may be one of your neighbors. The parents should take good care of their children. They better be suspicious when their children are out of their sight.)

The two suspects will be charged with violation of RA 10364 or the Expanded Anti Trafficking in Persons Act.