ILIGAN CITY — Authorities arrested a 30-year-old man and rescued a minor during a decisive anti-cybercrime operation targeting online sexual abuse and exploitation of children (OSAEC) on Thursday morning, April 2, in Barangay Tambacan.
The Iligan City Police Office (ICPO), through its Task Force Against OSAEC, carried out an entrapment operation alongside the implementation of a Warrant to Search, Seize, and Examine Computer Data (WSSECD) No. 26-005 at around 7:21 a.m. in Purok 3 of the said barangay.
The suspect, identified only by the alias “ADZ,” a resident of the area, was apprehended during the operation led by Police Major Alexander Lawan. The activity was conducted under the supervision of Lieutenant Colonel Glen B. Janog, chief of the City Investigation and Detective Management Unit (CIDMU), and with overall supervision from Police Colonel Aaron M. Mandia, officer-in-charge of ICPO.
The operation involved a broad coalition of law enforcement units and partner agencies, including the Iligan City Police Station 4, Iligan City Mobile Force Company, CIDMU, City Intelligence Unit, Regional Investigation and Detective Management Division 10, Women and Children Protection Desk–Monitoring and Field Unit, Regional Anti-Cybercrime Unit 10, the Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission, Department of Justice Regional Anti-Cybercrime Task Force 10, Iligan City Prosecutor’s Office, Department of Social Welfare and Development Region 10, and the City Social Welfare and Development Office.
During the raid, authorities rescued a 16-year-old female believed to be a victim of exploitation. Investigators also identified another individual—a 20-year-old male—who was allegedly portrayed as a minor in exploitative materials.
Seized from the suspect were several digital devices believed to have been used in the commission of the crime, including an Acer laptop, a flash drive, and two mobile phones (Oppo and Realme).
An on-site forensic examination conducted by the Regional Anti-Cybercrime Unit uncovered multiple child sexual abuse and exploitation materials (CSAEM), including at least five photographs, one video, and other pornographic content stored in the devices.
The suspect is now facing charges for violation of Republic Act 11930, or the Anti-Online Sexual Abuse or Exploitation of Children (OSAEC) and Anti-Child Sexual Abuse or Exploitation Materials (CSAEM) Act, particularly provisions under Sections 4(a), 4(c), and 4(r).
The rescued minor was immediately turned over to the City Social Welfare and Development Office for proper care, assessment, and intervention.
Police also acknowledged the support of the Iligan City local government and Mayor Frederick Siao, as well as international law enforcement partners including the Netherlands Police, the United Kingdom National Crime Agency, the Australian Federal Police, and International Justice Mission Philippines, for their continued collaboration in combating child exploitation.
The suspect is currently under the custody of Iligan City Police Station 4 pending further legal proceedings.
Authorities reiterated their commitment to intensifying operations against individuals involved in child exploitation, warning that perpetrators will be relentlessly pursued and held accountable under the law.