MANILA – The National Bureau of Investigation’s Human Trafficking Division (NBI-HTRAD) arrested one individual in Caloocan City on October 16, 2025, for alleged violations of Republic Act No. 11930, or the “Anti-Online Sexual Abuse or Exploitation of Children and Anti-Child Sexual Abuse or Exploitation Materials Act,” and for “Qualified Trafficking in Persons” under Republic Act No. 9208.

In a statement, the NBI said five victims were rescued during the operation, four of whom are minors aged 10 to 15.

The operation, led by NBI Director Judge Jaime B. Santiago (Ret.), stemmed from an August 18 referral from the Dutch National Police through the Philippine Internet Crimes Against Children Center (PICACC). The referral involved an individual suspected of producing and distributing child sexual abuse or exploitation materials (CSAEM).

Through open-source intelligence, NBI-HTRAD agents identified several victims, including a 10-year-old elementary student from Caloocan City. Surveillance conducted on October 1 confirmed the child’s enrollment status and led to the identification of three other girls who had since transferred to different schools.

On October 9, agents verified the suspect’s residence in Caloocan City. By comparing structural features of the house with background elements seen in CSAEM recovered from a Dutch suspect’s devices, investigators determined the site as the likely production area. A Warrant to Search, Seize, and Examine Computer Data (WSSECD) was subsequently secured to gather evidence.

On October 16, NBI-HTRAD operatives, assisted by the NBI Digital Forensics Laboratory, the Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking (IACAT), and the National Coordination Center – OSACE-CSAEM Cyber-Trafficking-in-Persons Operations Division, implemented the warrant. Representatives from non-governmental organizations and the Dutch National Police also observed the operation.

During the search, several computer devices were recovered, and a live digital preview confirmed the presence of materials depicting child sexual abuse. The suspect was arrested in flagrante delicto and brought to the NBI-HTRAD office for booking.

Simultaneous rescue operations were also carried out in Caloocan City and Rodriguez, Rizal, in coordination with local social welfare offices. The rescued victims were placed under the care of the respective City and Municipal Social Welfare and Development Offices.