Iligan City — In a coordinated anti-trafficking operation, law enforcers arrested two suspects and rescued six minor victims in Barangay Tubod, Iligan City, on May 7, 2025.
The Women and Children Protection Center–Mindanao Field Unit, in collaboration with Police Station 4 of the Iligan City Police Office and other units, launched an entrapment and rescue operation, including the enforcement of a Warrant to Search, Seize, and Examine Computer Data (WSSECD) No. 25-002, at Purok 1, Mangga, Barangay Tubod.
Authorities identified the suspects by their aliases “Jess,” a female considered the primary suspect, and her live-in partner “Jessie,” both residents of the area. The operation resulted in the rescue of six minors—three girls allegedly offered online for sexual exploitation and three other children at risk, including one female and two males. One of the rescued minors is the biological child of “Jessie,” while the others are related to “Jess.”
Initial findings revealed that the victims were exploited to produce explicit online content distributed to paying foreign individuals. Investigators confirmed that the suspects profited from these illegal activities.
During the operation, authorities also seized drug paraphernalia, including one sachet of suspected shabu weighing 0.1 grams (worth approximately PhP680.00), two sachets with suspected residue, aluminum tooters, lighters, and personal belongings.
The suspects are facing multiple charges under several laws:
- Republic Act 11930, or the “Anti-Online Sexual Abuse or Exploitation of Children (OSAEC) and Anti-Child Sexual Abuse or Exploitation Materials (CSAEM) Act,”
- Republic Act 7610, the “Special Protection of Children Against Abuse, Exploitation, and Discrimination Act,”
- Republic Act 9208, as amended by R.A. 10364 and further by R.A. 11862, the “Expanded Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act of 2022,”
- and Republic Act 9165, the “Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.”
The arrested individuals were brought to Police Station 4 for proper processing, while the rescued children were turned over to the City Social Welfare and Development (CSWD) Children Assessment and Processing Center for aftercare services.
PBGEN Jaysen C. De Guzman, Regional Director of Police Regional Office 10, commended the law enforcers involved in the operation for their decisive action and commitment to protecting vulnerable sectors.
“This operation underscores our unwavering commitment to protect vulnerable women and children from predators who exploit them online and offline. We are thankful to our partner agencies for their swift coordination and determination,” he said.
