ILOILO City – In a pre-dawn operation on Saturday, Nov. 4, the Iloilo City Police Office (ICPO) apprehended 17 male Chinese nationals suspected of operating a cybersex den in Lawaan Village, Barangay Balantang, Jaro district.
The arrests, made around 4:10 a.m., were based on a search warrant issued by Regional Trial Court-Branch 39 presiding Judge Victorino Maniba Jr.
The ICPO’s Intelligence Unit, alongside the City Drugs Enforcement Unit and Jaro police station, coordinated with the Cybercrime Investigation and Coordinating Center of the Department of Information and Communications Technology to carry out the raid.
The suspects, all of legal age, have reportedly been facilitating illicit activities for Filipino and foreign cybersex clients for the past six months, according to Police Lieutenant Colonel Antonio Benitez Jr., head of ICPO’s Intelligence Unit.
A significant number of electronic devices and other equipment were seized during the operation, including 24 computer units containing obscene photos of models, two TP-link switch hubs with 24 ports, 49 cellular phones, two routers, four computers without keyboards and mice, one projector, one monitor, one modem, one DVR Hikvision, and a collection of SIM cards.
Following the raid, Mayor Jerry Treñas affirmed his support for the local police’s efforts against cybercrime.
“I commend the Philippine National Police for their swift action in the apprehension of these individuals who have allegedly violated the Cybercrime Act. My administration will continue to back the PNP’s initiatives to keep Iloilo City a safe place for everyone,” said Treñas.
The detained individuals are currently facing charges under Republic Act 10175, otherwise known as the Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012. (With a report from XFM Radyo Patrol Iloilo)/PN
