Sixteen children have been rescued from an alleged child abuse den in the Philippines as part of an Australian Federal Police (AFP) investigation.
Working with AFP intelligence received, Philippine National Police (PNP) removed the children – the youngest aged 10 – in what’s believed to be the largest single rescue of abuse victims in the country.
The investigation started in January after Australian Border Force (ABF) officers at Sydney Airport examined a 56-year-old Queensland man’s baggage upon his return from the Philippines.
ABF officers inspected the man’s phone and allegedly found child abuse material and messages detailing his intent to pay a facilitator who would enable him to sexually abuse children in the Philippines.
The AFP was alerted and began investigating the activities of the Queensland man.
He was later charged with three offences and the AFP shared intelligence gathered during the investigation to the Philippine Internet Crimes Against Children Centre (PICACC). This resulted in further investigations by the PNP, with the support of the AFP and other PICACC members.
Last week PNP executed multiple warrants at four locations in Taguig and Nueva Vizcaya, where the 16 children were found. They have been placed into the care of the Philippine Department of Social Welfare and Development.
Investigations by PNP remain ongoing to find other children allegedly identified during the investigation.
AFP Senior Officer in Manila, Detective Superintendent Andrew Perkins, said the AFP worked tirelessly with partners in Australia and internationally, to detect and disrupt anyone involved in the sexual abuse and exploitation of children.
“This case highlights how vital it is for law enforcement agencies to share intelligence and resources globally, because predators are not confined by borders,” D/Supt Perkins said.
“This is a record number of children rescued in a single operation and we are grateful to be able to support the efforts of the Philippine National Police and the Philippine Internet Crimes Against Children Centre to remove these children from harm.
“However, these children’s lives have been irrecoverably damaged and we know there are too many other children still at risk.
“That is why we will never give up our fight to keep children safe and stop those who try to exploit or abuse them.”
ABF Superintendent Phillip Anderson said the border is the first line of defence for the Australian community against a wide range of very real threats.
“For ABF officers at the border, community protection is their number one priority and they will stop at nothing to protect children from this truly abhorrent crime type,” Supt Anderson said.
“Results like we see today highlight the importance of the work our officers conduct at the border alongside our partners, and also sends a very strong message to those who try to engage in this atrocious behaviour.
“Our message is very simple – anyone committing this illegal activity can expect to be detected by the ABF and its partners, and to face the full legal consequences for their vile actions.”
Chief of the Philippine National Police Women and Children Protection Centre, Police Colonel Portia Manalad said the PNP could not tackle this crime alone.
“We must collaborate with our international partners, such as the AFP, to arrest offenders and rescue child victims,” she said.
