Following a joint international operation, a Filipino national has been extradited from the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to the Philippines after being linked to the abuse of 111 children. The investigation, which involved the Australian Federal Police (AFP) and Philippine authorities, was launched after the arrest of an Australian man in early 2023, leading to critical evidence in this case.
The 32-year-old Filipino was extradited to Manila in September 2024 and is now facing multiple charges, including statutory rape, human trafficking, and violations under the Philippines’ Anti-Online Sexual Exploitation of Children and Anti-Child Sexual Abuse and Exploitation Materials Act.
Authorities in the Philippines have confirmed that 28 children have been rescued from harm, thanks to the ongoing investigation led by the Philippine Internet Crimes Against Children Centre (PICACC). The PICACC, established in 2019, is a collaboration between the Philippine National Police (PNP), the National Bureau of Investigation, the AFP, and other international agencies.
The investigation began when the AFP arrested a 58-year-old Queensland man at Sydney International Airport in January 2023. His phone allegedly contained child exploitation material, and messages revealed his attempts to pay for access to female children in the Philippines. Despite initial challenges in identifying his contacts, the AFP provided evidence that proved critical in the broader investigation.
“Our colleagues at the Philippine National Police deserve praise for their sustained efforts to track down this alleged offender and bring him to account for these horrible criminal accusations,” said AFP Assistant Commissioner David McLean.
“The AFP provided evidence and intelligence we obtained from the arrest of an Australian man in January 2023, but we could not identify the people he was communicating with in the Philippines. The PNP’s determination to identify this alleged perpetrator and the child victims highlights the importance of international partnerships in child abuse investigations,” McLean added.
McLean further emphasised the value of global law enforcement cooperation. “The ability of law enforcement to work together anywhere in the world through INTERPOL and other established liaison channels means there are very few hiding places for people who choose to abuse and exploit children.”
He reaffirmed the AFP’s commitment to protecting children globally: “The AFP is steadfast in its resolve to protect children around the world, and a key part of that is doing whatever we can – either directly or by helping our partner agencies – to ensure predators are not in a position to continue their awful abuse.”
Following the initial arrest, the PNP identified a Filipino man residing in the UAE as a key suspect responsible for facilitating child abuse. An INTERPOL red notice was issued, leading to his eventual arrest and extradition. It is alleged that the man led a syndicate involved in the exploitation of children, some as young as nine years old, and the sale of explicit content to individuals in multiple countries through encrypted platforms.
Philippine National Police Chief of the Women and Children Protection Centre, Police General Brigadier Portia Manalad, highlighted the importance of ongoing efforts to locate additional victims.
“This investigation, and the rescue of 28 child victims to date, would not have been able to occur without the ongoing collaboration between AFP Manila and the Philippine National Police Women and Children Protection Centre,” Manalad said.
“Whilst the arrest of this man is significant, the PNP will continue to try and identify and locate further victims to rescue from harm,” she added.
The AFP, in collaboration with its partners, continues to work tirelessly to combat child exploitation and abuse. The AFP-led Australian Centre to Counter Child Exploitation (ACCCE) is leading a collaborative national approach to investigating and preventing child sexual abuse, with a focus on creating a safer online environment.
For those with information related to child abuse, authorities urge contacting the ACCCE or local law enforcement. Immediate threats should be reported to the police by calling 000.
