MANILA – The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) has arrested a 19-year-old construction worker in Balanga City, Bataan, for alleged violations of Republic Act (RA) 7610 or the “Special Protection of Children Against Abuse, Exploitation, and Discrimination Act,” and RA 11930 or the “Anti-Online Sexual Abuse or Exploitation of Children Act (OSAEC) and Anti-Child Sexual Abuse or Exploitation Materials (CSAEM).”

NBI Director Judge Jaime B. Santiago (Ret.) said the suspect, identified as Ar-Jay Lagata of Lipa City, Batangas, was arrested on August 27, 2025, at the workers’ barracks of a construction site following a complaint filed by the victim’s mother.

Investigators said the victim, a 17-year-old girl with a mental age of 11 years and 3 months based on the NBI Behavioral Science Division’s assessment, had been in a sexual relationship with the suspect since May 2025.

The victim’s mother discovered the abuse through messages on her daughter’s phone, which also revealed that Lagata had been asking for sexually explicit videos and had threatened to expose their relationship if the victim refused to comply.

Acting on the complaint, NBI-Bataan District Office agents immediately conducted an operation leading to Lagata’s arrest.

The suspect was later presented before the City Prosecutor’s Office of Balanga City, with prosecutors recommending charges under RA 7610 and RA 11930.