US lauds PH on rescue of minors from sex trafficker

The United States Embassy in Manila on Friday lauded the National Bureau of Investigation’s (NBI) Anti-Human Trafficking Division, and the Philippine National Police’s (PNP) Women and Children Protection Center for the rescue of five minors during a raid in Bulacan. (Pixabay photo)

MANILA — The United States Embassy in Manila on Friday lauded the National Bureau of Investigation’s (NBI) Anti-Human Trafficking Division, and the Philippine National Police’s (PNP) Women and Children Protection Center for the rescue of five minors during a raid in Bulacan.

The raid also led to the arrest of alleged child pornography creator, Anselmo Ico Jr.

In a statement, the embassy said the coordinated international effort came into fruition as part of the deep partnership between US Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Manila office and its counterparts at NBI and PNP.

It said the HSI briefed the case as part of a State Department International Law Enforcement and Narcotics Bureau funded trip to Portland, Maine.

In the trip, which familiarized senior NBI investigators with HSI operations, NBI investigators recognized the case.

Due to HSI’s ongoing investigations and support, Philippine law enforcement agencies were able to collaborate and combine their respective investigations to apprehend Ico, the embassy said.

Ico was arrested for violation of Republic Act No. 10364 or the Expanded Trafficking in Persons Act of 2012, in relation to RA 10175 or the Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012, RA 9775 or the Anti-Child Pornography Act of 2009, and RA 9208 as amended by RA 10364 or the Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act of 2003.