GENERAL SANTOS CITY— A minor was rescued and the child’s mother was arrested by National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) agents for allegedly selling child sexual abuse or exploitation materials (CSAEM) to foreign buyers online.

The operation was conducted on Oct. 28, 2026, in Purok Malayang Nayon, Barangay Mabuhay, by the NBI Violence Against Women and Children Division (NBI-VAWCD) and Sarangani District Office (NBI-SARDO), with assistance from the NBI Digital Forensic Laboratory (DFL), the General Santos City Social Welfare and Development Office (CSWDO), and the Child Rescue Coalition (CRC).

The NBI said the operation stemmed from a referral by the Department of Justice’s National Coordination Center Against Online Sexual Abuse or Exploitation of Children and Child Sexual Abuse or Exploitation Materials (NCC-OSAEC-CSAEM).

The referral was based on reports from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) after messaging application Kik flagged the subject’s account for suspicious activity.

Initial information indicated that the suspect allegedly offered and sold CSAEM involving herself and her minor child to foreign buyers in exchange for payment. The alleged buyers were from the United States, Australia and Germany.

During the operation, authorities implemented a Warrant to Search, Seize, and Examine Computer Data (WSSECD). An examination of the suspect’s mobile phone reportedly yielded materials related to CSAEM.

The suspect was arrested for alleged violations of Republic Act No. 11930, or the Anti-Online Sexual Abuse or Exploitation of Children (OSAEC) and Anti-Child Sexual Abuse or Exploitation Materials (CSAEM) Act.

The rescued minor was turned over to the General Santos City CSWDO for appropriate intervention, care and assessment, while the suspect remains under the custody of the NBI-SARDO following inquest proceedings.

NBI Director Melvin Matibag commended the coordination among the agency’s divisions and the partner organizations, particularly in conducting the data seizure and rescuing the child.

He said the operation demonstrated the bureau’s commitment to protecting children from online sexual abuse and exploitation, particularly cases involving parents who allegedly abuse their own children within their homes.

The NBI also urged the public to remain vigilant and report suspicious activities that could put children at risk, especially those involving digital platforms.