By Benjamin Pulta
MANILA – The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) has arrested a female suspect in Bombon, Camarines Sur for violating Section 4(c) of Republic Act No. 11930, or the Anti-Online Sexual Abuse or Exploitation Materials (CSAEM) Act, in relation to Section 6 of Republic Act No. 10175, or the Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012.
In a news release on Wednesday, the NBI said the suspect was arrested on Tuesday based on information from the United States Department of Homeland Security, particularly the Homeland Security Investigations team in Manila, about a Filipino citizen who was offering CSAEM online in exchange for a fee.
Agents from the NBI Violence Against Women and Children Division (VAWCD) promptly conducted a series of verifications, intelligence gathering, and surveillance operations that led to the identification of the suspect and her current location.
They discovered that the suspect has been continuously offering live sexual shows featuring minor children.
Armed with a Warrant to Search, Seize, and Examine Computer Data (WSSECD) from the court, operatives conducted an entrapment operation on May 27 and rescued six minors.
An examination of the seized cellphones revealed that four of the rescued minors appeared in photographs being offered by the suspect for sexual abuse and exploitation.
Meanwhile, the NBI – Special Task Force (STF) and Cybercrime Division (CCD) arrested three individuals in Pasay City for offering fake notarial services.
On Tuesday, the STF and CCD received a request to verify and conduct appropriate actions on the illegal notarial activities of a group of persons in the vicinity of the Commission on Elections in Pasay City.
The complainant claimed his name and details as a legitimate Notary Public was being used without his knowledge, authority, and consent.
Acting on the request, NBI agents conducted covert inquiries and verifications in the target area on the same date.
Entrapment operations resulted in the arrest of Irene Catubay, Violeta Tugado and Evetha Buenaventura and the seizure of instruments and implements used in the illegal notarial practice.
They were subsequently charged with violation of Article 172 (falsification by Private Individuals) in relation to Article 171(1) and Article 171(2), Article 176 (Possession of Instruments or Implements for Falsification), Article 177 (Usurpation of Authority or Official Functions), and Article 315 par. 2(a) (Estafa by means of Deceit) of the Revised Penal Code. (PNA)
