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Authorities arrested a mother who was allegedly caught in the act of offering her 11-year-old daughter for a ‘live sex show’ online in exchange for money during an anti-trafficking operation in Davao Oriental Province on June 3, 2025.

Operatives from the National Bureau of Investigation – Human Trafficking Division (NBI-HTD) also removed four other children-at-risk, aged four (4) to thirteen (13), from the scene of the alleged exploitation and arrested the woman’s husband and another male relative for allegedly aiding and abetting her in committing the crime.

“As Chief of the Human Trafficking Division, I recognize that the victims rescued in this recent operation in Davao were not only exploited but abandoned by the very systems meant to protect them – their family,” said Atty. Olga Angustia-Gonzales, chief of NBI-Human Trafficking Division (NBI-HTD). “Let this rescue serve as a message: To traffickers, know that we will find you. To that, vigilance is the key. And to the children we fight for, we promise that you will never be forgotten or forsaken, you are not merely figures or numbers.”

NBI-HTD and NBI-Southeastern Mindanao Regional Office (SEMRO) conducted the operation following a tip from Belgian authorities about a mother allegedly sexually exploiting children for money in the Philippines. Philippine authorities typically receive case referrals from foreign law enforcement after the latter identify a Filipino facilitator while investigating a child exploitation case involving their own citizens.

Online sexual abuse or exploitation of children (OSAEC) often involves the trafficking of children to produce child sexual exploitation material, including livestreamed abuse. This is commonly facilitated by family members or trusted individuals who are paid and directed by remote sex offenders abroad.

A 2022 prevalence study by International Justice Mission (IJM) and the University of Nottingham Rights Lab estimated that nearly half a million Filipino children—approximately 1 in 100—were trafficked to produce new child sexual exploitation material for profit in a single year.

In some communities, people call these illegal activities “live show” or “show me”. Because OSAEC typically occurs inside the victim’s home, detection becomes more challenging and requires proactive law enforcement and community vigilance.

“OSAEC poses a significant threat to Filipino children—and to the future of our country,” said Atty. Samson Inocencio Jr., national director of IJM Philippines. “Every Filipino—every member of the community—must get involved. Let’s all look out for the children in our communities and act quickly when we become aware of abuse. Reporting this crime matters.”

IJM provided logistical and technical support during the operation in Davao Oriental. Following the entrapment operation, NBI-HTD and NBI-SEMRO executed a court-issued Warrant to Search, Seize, and Examine Computer Data (WSSECD) at the female suspect’s residence.

An initial examination of her seized mobile phone allegedly yielded child sexual abuse and exploitation material. Sex toys were also allegedly recovered from the crime scene.

Charges being prepared against the suspects include violations of Republic Act (R.A.) 11930, or the Anti-Online Sexual Abuse or Exploitation of Children (OSAEC) and Anti-Child Sexual Abuse or Exploitation Materials (CSAEM) Act; R.A. 7610, or the Special Protection of Children Against Abuse, Exploitation and Discrimination Act; and R.A. 9208, as amended by R.A. 10364 and R.A. 11862, known as the Expanded Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act of 2022.

To report information about online sexual exploitation and abuse of children, contact the NBI- Human Trafficking Division at (02) 8523 7414 (loc 3706) or 0995-990-1993; or the Philippine National Police – Women and Children Protection Center at 0966-725-5961 (Globe) and 0919-777-7377 (Smart).

*Cover Photo/Thumbnail Photo from IJM