A Filipino man accused of exploiting over 100 children in the Philippines by distributing their nude images online, including some while being sexually assaulted by his associates, has been apprehended in the United Arab Emirates and repatriated to Manila, officials reported on Thursday.
Interior Secretary Benhur Abalos led the reception of the suspect, a computer expert named Teddy Mejia, from Dubai and brought him back to Manila.
After the Philippines requested an Interpol Red Notice, which alerts law enforcement globally about fugitives, UAE authorities took the suspect into custody, as per Philippine police sources.
Abalos issued a stern warning to child abusers, emphasizing that there is no refuge for them and they will be held accountable under the law.
The suspect and his group lured young girls aged 9 to 11 by sending them 500 pesos ($9) for their facial photos. Subsequently, he doctored the images to make them look nude and extorted the victims for more explicit photos, which were then sold on the internet to foreign buyers.
According to Abalos, some victims were sexually assaulted and filmed during the attacks, and these materials were also traded online.
Several victims were coerced and became so distraught that they resorted to taking their own lives, noted Philippine National Police chief Gen. Rommel Francisco Marbil.
The prevalence of online sexual exploitation of children in the Philippines is attributed to poverty and extensive internet access, explained Marbil.
Brig. Gen. Portia Manalad, head of the national police’s Women and Children Protection Center, shared that the investigation began last May after victims sought help, disclosing details about the suspect’s online activities and six other accomplices.
Authorities identified at least 111 victims, with about 30 providing statements that enabled the filing of charges against the suspects and the issuance of arrest warrants.
Before the arrest of Mejia, believed to be the mastermind of the syndicate, four suspects were apprehended in the Philippines in recent months.
Abalos and Philippine police officers exhibited a detained Mejia, concealing his face, to the media at Manila’s international airport.
Manalad mentioned that the suspect was tracked down through the digital money trail, without giving further details.