The Philippine National Police has rescued three minors and five other children at risk during an entrapment operation against a suspect allegedly involved in online child abuse in Barangay Liliongan, Carmen, North Cotabato, police said.
The operation was carried out at about 5:15 p.m. on Jan. 15, 2026, under a Warrant to Search, Seize and Examine Computer Data. It was led by personnel of the Women and Children Protection Center-Mindanao Field Unit, with support from the Carmen Municipal Police Station, the Provincial Intelligence Unit of the North Cotabato Police Provincial Office, the Provincial Women and Children Protection Desk, the Regional Anti-Cybercrime Unit 12, and the Municipal Social Welfare and Development Office of Carmen.
Police said the operation also involved Project Rescue Children, in coordination with the Regional Inter-Agency Committee Against Trafficking 12 and the Regional Anti-Child Online Sexual Exploitation and Trafficking Task Force 12. Other partner agencies included the Department of Social Welfare and Development Region 12, the Department of Justice-National Coordination Center Against Online Sexual Abuse and Exploitation of Children and Child Sexual Abuse and Exploitation Material, and the International Justice Mission.
The suspect was arrested at the scene and brought to the Carmen Municipal Police Station for documentation. Police said personnel from the Women and Children Protection Center conducted video in-depth disclosure interviews as part of the ongoing investigation.
The rescued children were turned over to the MSWDO-Carmen for proper assessment, evaluation, and initial intervention.
Police Lt. Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. said online sexual abuse of children is a serious crime and that the police will continue to pursue offenders, whether operating in physical locations or through digital platforms.
He added that protecting children requires constant action and strong cooperation among agencies, noting that public vigilance is vital in preventing abuse and exploitation.
