As one of the lead agencies responsible for protecting the children, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Field Office VII responded to the call of rescuing a child victim of exploitation in spite of its huge task in implementing the Social Amelioration Program (SAP).

The operation started when the grievance team of DSWD-7 Operations Action Center received a message from the DSWD-7 official Facebook page about kids being exploited online during these Enhanced Community Quarantine (ECQ) and while the SAP payout is ongoing. The reports were forwarded immediately to the Women and Children Protection Center – Visayas Field Unit (WCPC- VFU) of Philippine National Police (PNP) for investigation.

After days of surveillance, the alleged online exploitation of a child was confirmed. On May 28, 2020 together with the WCPC- VFU team led by PLTCOL Mary Grace R. Madayag, the DSWD-7 rescued a child, who is a victim of online sexual exploitation of children (OSEC) in Sitio Rio, Brgy. Lahug, Cebu City.

According to one of the rescuers, the 13-year-old girl, from a humble family has been photographed naked since 2018 and these pictures were sent online in exchange of money. The pimp is a neighbor and a close family friend so she was never suspected. This pimp sent the child’s nude photos to her husband, an American who is currently living in US.

Right now, the girl is under the custody of DSWD-7. She is provided with temporary shelter, food, psychosocial counseling and hygiene kit while the case is ongoing. ###

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