Philippines: Six children rescued from sex trafficking after AFP-led international investigation

The arrest of two men on child sexual abuse charges has sparked an Australian Federal Police-led international investigation and the rescue of six victims, as young as two years old, from sex trafficking in the Philippines.

In March the Tasmanian Joint Anti Child Exploitation Team arrested and charged a 41-year-old man with offences relating to his alleged possession and dealings with child abuse material.

During a search warrant at the man’s Kings Meadows home on March 26, investigators allegedly found child abuse images and videos, and a text-based conversation with a person allegedly facilitating the sale of child abuse material stored on the man’s mobile phone.

Further digital forensic analysis of the seized phone led AFP investigators to allegedly locate evidence that the facilitator and child victims were based in the Philippines.

The Tasmanian man was charged by the AFP with four counts of using a carriage service for child abuse material and four counts of using a carriage service to transmit indecent communication to person under 16. The matter is still before the courts.

In April, an international investigation between the AFP and the Philippine National Police (PNP) commenced.

Soon after, on April 11, the AFP arrested a second man at Melbourne Airport after allegedly finding child sexual abuse material on his phone when he arrived in Australia from the Philippines.

A subsequent search warrant at the man’s home allegedly revealed evidence of contact offending against child victims offshore.

The AFP charged the Victorian man with several counts of possessing, soliciting and causing the transmission of child abuse material using a carriage service, one count of grooming a person to engage in sexual activity with a child under 16 outside Australia and one count of engaging in sexual activity with a child outside of Australia.

In November, the 41-year-old pleaded guilty to the charges and will be sentenced in April.

Meanwhile, AFP intelligence from both investigations was provided to the Philippine Internet Crimes Against Children Centre and AFP investigators based in Manila identified common aspects between the cases, including victims linked to both men.

On November 14, the PNP Mindanao Field Unit – alongside the Philippine Department of Social Welfare and Development, the City Social Welfare and Development Office and members from the AFP Manila Post – executed search warrants in the Cagayan De Oro region in the southern Philippines.

As a result, two women – aged 43, and 23 – were arrested and charged with a number of human trafficking and child abuse material offences contrary to Filipino law.

Each of these offences carry a maximum penalty of life imprisonment.

Six children, the youngest aged just two years old, were removed from harm and placed in the care of child welfare services.

AFP Manila Liaison Officer, Detective Sergeant Daisie Beckensall, said the case highlighted the strength of the AFP’s international network and the commitment of all agencies to protect children around the world.

“The rescues and arrests are a powerful reminder of why the AFP works closely with partners around the globe – to share intelligence and the resources necessary to target anyone who preys on children,” she said.

“These children’s lives have been irrecoverably damaged and we know there are too many other children still at risk.

“That is why we will never give up our fight to keep children safe and stop those who try to exploit or abuse them.”

Philippine National Police Brigadier General Portia B. Manalad said that the cooperation between the Philippine National Police Women and Children Protection Centre and the AFP Manila Post led to this great result.

“Our two organisations will continue to exchange intelligence in order to arrest further perpetrators and rescue more children,” she said.

Members of the public who have information about people involved in child abuse are urged to contact the ACCCE. If you know abuse is happening right now or a child is at risk, call police immediately on 000.

If you or someone you know is impacted by child sexual abuse and online exploitation, support services are available.

If you or someone you know needs help, contact 1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732), or Sexual Assault Counselling Australia on 1800 211 028, or Lifeline on 13 11 14.

Young people seeking support can phone beyondblue on 1300 22 4636 or go to headspace.org.au.