13 VICTIMS RESCUED IN CYBERSEX DEN IN BUTUAN CITY

BUTUAN CITY – In a joint operation composed of police forces in Caraga, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), and the Department of Justice Regional Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking – Caraga, 13 victims rescued from a cybersex den in Purok 5, Barangay Ambago on May 21, Thursday.

12 out of 13 victims are minors. One of them is just 1 year old.

The suspects who are live-in partners and residents of the said barangay were arrested during the operation. Cellphones, tablet phones, different identification and remittance cards, different remittance receipts, lubricant, and router were confiscated, including unregistered firearms such as caliber 45, caliber .38 revolver with 6 live ammunitions, and bladed weapons.

According to Police Major Renel Serrano, a spokesperson in Police Regional Office (PRO 13), the surveillance operation started in December of 2019.

Meanwhile, authorities are preparing pertinent documents for filing of cases against the suspects for violations of Anti-trafficking in Persons Act, Anti-Child Pornography Act, Expanded Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act of 2012, and Special Protection of Children against Abuse, Exploitation and Discrimination Act.

In the meantime, the victims were brought to DSWD to undergo psychosocial therapy.