PNP probes link between Pangasinan, Cebu ‘child abuses’

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine National Police has intensified intelligence operations nationwide to determine whether separate child exploitation cases in Pangasinan and Cebu involve a common network of perpetrators.

Authorities in Pangasinan are investigating alleged exploitation activities in Urdaneta City, while a French national was arrested in Cebu over alleged sexual offenses against minors.

Intelligence

“Criminal networks must not be allowed to exploit provincial boundaries to evade justice,” said PNP chief Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. in a statement on Sunday.

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READ: Pangasinan gov’t, cops probe alleged child exploitation in Urdaneta City

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“By linking our regional intelligence, we are dismantling these syndicates from the roots up and ensuring that no corner of this country serves as a safe haven for those who prey on our children,” Nartatez added.

Police units have been instructed to establish whether the cases in Pangasinan and Cebu involve the same individuals or organized groups operating across provincial boundaries.

READ: PNP-WCPC rescues 16, nabs 2 in anti-online child abuse operations

The issue in Pangasinan drew public attention after vlogger Christian Albert Gaza shared a video on Facebook featuring a house in Urdaneta City, where several alleged unlawful activities, such as child exploitation, child molestation, maltreatment, physical assault, torture and illegal drug-related activities, were reportedly taking place.

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Last Friday, the provincial government of Pangasinan said it was coordinating with the Department of the Interior and Local Government and the National Bureau of Investigation regarding the issue.

United response

Meanwhile, a French national was arrested in Catmon, Cebu, on Oct. 29, wherein it was carried out pursuant to a warrant issued by the Tribunal Judiciaire de Montauban, France, on March 28, 2024, for alleged rape, corruption and sexual assault of minors under 15.

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The foreign national was turned over to the Bureau of Immigration’s Fugitive Search Unit for appropriate legal and immigration proceedings.

Nartatez said the PNP would pursue both local and foreign suspects involved in the exploitation of Filipino children, adding that police would continue coordinating with international law enforcement agencies to track down perpetrators.

“Child exploitation is a transnational crime that demands an unyielding, united response,” he said.

Nartatez added: “Whether these perpetrators operate within our provinces or cross international borders, our reach is long, our partnerships are firm, and we will hunt down every single individual who attempts to violate the dignity of our youth.”

This year, the Philippines ranks 15th out of 60 countries in the Out of the Shadows Index, developed by Economist Impact with advocacy led by Together for Girls, in efforts to prevent and respond to sexual violence against children.

The index assesses 60 countries covering 83 percent of the world’s children across four pillars: governance and accountability, prevention, healing and justice.

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The Philippines scored 51.1 in governance and accountability, 46.7 in prevention, 60 in healing and 69.2 in justice, out of 100 points each. /cb