ILIGAN CITY — A 25-year-old woman was arrested in an entrapment operation conducted by the Iligan City Police Office (ICPO) Task Force Against Online Sexual Abuse and Exploitation of Children (OSAEC) on Tuesday afternoon, April 28, in Purok 12-E, Barangay Sta. Elena.
The suspect was apprehended at around 2:25 p.m. for alleged violations of Republic Act No. 11930, which penalizes online sexual abuse or exploitation of children and child sexual abuse or exploitation materials. She also faces charges under Republic Act No. 9208 and Republic Act No. 7610.
Authorities recovered a cellular phone and an identification card from the suspect during the operation, which are now being processed as evidence.
Following the arrest, the ICPO Task Force Against OSAEC, in coordination with the Linamon Municipal Police Station and local social welfare officers, immediately launched a rescue operation to locate minors allegedly being exploited online.
At around 5:05 p.m. the same day, two female minors—aged three and 12—were successfully rescued. The victims were turned over at approximately 5:45 p.m. to the City Social Welfare and Development (CSWD) Children Assessment and Processing Center in Iligan City for proper care and intervention.
The suspect is currently under the custody of Iligan City Police Station 2 for proper disposition.
Police officials said the operation underscores the firm commitment of law enforcement agencies and partner organizations to protect children from online exploitation and ensure that perpetrators are held accountable under the law.
The ICPO Task Force Against OSAEC also expressed gratitude to the Iligan City local government and Frederick Siao for their continued support in safeguarding children. They likewise acknowledged the assistance of international and local partners, including the Netherlands Police, National Crime Agency, Australian Federal Police, and International Justice Mission Philippines, for their sustained collaboration in combating child exploitation.
The operation was led by Police Major Alexander, Task Force Team Leader, under the supervision of Police Lieutenant Colonel Glen Janog, Chief of the City Criminal Investigation and Detection Management Unit (CIDMU), and the overall supervision of Police Colonel Mario Baquiran Jr., Officer-in-Charge of ICPO.
It involved personnel from Iligan City Police Station 2, the Investigation and Detective Management Unit, the Women and Children Protection Desk, and other units, in close coordination with the Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission, Department of Justice Regional Anti-Cybercrime and Trafficking Task Force 10, Iligan City Prosecutor’s Office, Department of Social Welfare and Development (Region 10), CSWD Iligan, and the Linamon Municipal Police Station, along with social workers from the Municipal Social Welfare and Development Office.
Authorities reiterated their call for vigilance and community cooperation in reporting cases of child exploitation, emphasizing that collective action remains crucial in protecting the most vulnerable sectors of society.