89 convictions recorded in Northern Mindanao; Davao Region and other provinces report rescued children and suspected online exploitation cases
CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY (November 3) — Child exploitation cases documented across Mindanao, including the rescue of children in Davao Oriental and Misamis Occidental and dozens of convictions in Northern Mindanao, underscore the need for a nationwide police investigation into suspected networks operating across provincial boundaries.
The Philippine National Police (PNP) is intensifying intelligence gathering and monitoring through its regional units to determine whether reported incidents of child abuse and exploitation in different parts of the country involve the same individuals or organized criminal groups.
PNP chief Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. said police units had been directed to link regional intelligence and identify perpetrators who may be moving their operations across provinces to evade authorities.
“Criminal networks must not be allowed to exploit provincial boundaries to evade justice. By linking our regional intelligence, we are dismantling these syndicates from the roots up and ensuring that no corner of this country serves as a safe haven for those who prey on our children,” Nartatez said in a statement.
The directive comes amid separate reports of alleged child exploitation in Urdaneta City, Pangasinan, and the arrest of a French national in Cebu over alleged sexual offenses involving minors.
But cases in Mindanao show that the problem extends beyond these reported incidents, with authorities uncovering online exploitation activities involving children in several provinces.
Mindanao records convictions, rescues
Northern Mindanao recorded 89 convictions in cases involving Online Sexual Abuse and Exploitation of Children (OSAEC) and Child Sexual Abuse and Exploitation Materials (CSAEM) from 2024 to 2025, the highest number among regions nationwide, according to a report presented in July 2026.
Most of the convictions were recorded in Iligan City, followed by Cagayan de Oro City, highlighting the region’s continuing challenge in prosecuting online child exploitation cases.
The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD)-10 also reported that it rescued and assisted 105 human trafficking survivors in 2025. OSAEC accounted for 81 of the documented cases, while 56 of the survivors were minors.
Lanao del Norte recorded the highest number of clients, with 52, followed by Misamis Occidental and Misamis Oriental. Cases were also documented in Bukidnon.
The figures point to the scale of the protection and prosecution challenge in Northern Mindanao, although trafficking survivors assisted by DSWD and convictions recorded by prosecutors represent different measures and should not be treated as equivalent case counts.
In Davao Region, DSWD recorded seven OSAEC cases involving 11 child victims in 2025. The reported cases came from Maco and Mawab in Davao de Oro, Carmen in Davao del Norte, and Cateel and Lupon in Davao Oriental.
Authorities said some cases involved parents and other relatives who allegedly facilitated the exploitation of children, raising concerns about abuse within households and the vulnerability of children to people entrusted with their care.
Rescue operations expose provincial reach
In Davao Oriental, the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) arrested three people in Lupon in June 2025 in an operation involving suspected production and distribution of child sexual abuse and exploitation materials.
The investigation began with information referred by Belgian police, which identified a suspected Filipino provider who allegedly exchanged abusive materials involving children for money.
Five children, including three minor children of the principal suspect and two nieces, were rescued and placed under DSWD custody. Investigators seized electronic devices and reported finding digital materials and chat records allegedly documenting transactions.
The case demonstrated how investigations involving foreign law enforcement agencies and digital evidence could help identify local perpetrators and children being exploited within private homes.
More recently, a joint operation in Calamba, Misamis Occidental, on July 25, 2026, resulted in the rescue of four children, including two toddlers aged two and three, and the arrest of a 22-year-old suspect.
The three girls and one boy, aged two, three, nine and 14, were allegedly offered for online sexual exploitation in exchange for money. One of the children has a disability.
The operation was led by the PNP Women and Children Protection Center-Mindanao Field Unit following cyber-patrolling activities that identified the suspect. Authorities continued examining seized electronic devices to establish the extent of the alleged exploitation and determine whether other children were involved.
In Zamboanga del Norte, a PNP Women and Children Protection Center operation in Dapitan City in April 2025 rescued three individuals, including a female minor and two children at risk, and resulted in the arrest of a suspect.
These operations illustrate the need to investigate not only individual perpetrators but also the possible networks, online transactions and other persons who may facilitate the exploitation of children.
PNP targets local and foreign perpetrators
Nartatez stressed that the police investigation would cover both local perpetrators and foreign nationals who may be involved in exploiting Filipino children.
He said the PNP would continue coordinating with foreign law enforcement agencies to trace suspects operating across international borders and strengthen intelligence operations with concerned government agencies.
“Child exploitation is a transnational crime that demands an unyielding, unified response. Whether these perpetrators operate within our provinces or cross international borders, our reach is long, our partnerships are firm, and we will hunt down every single individual who attempts to violate the dignity of our youth,” he said.
The investigation comes amid growing concerns over the use of digital platforms to recruit, groom, sexually exploit and distribute abusive materials involving children.
Under Republic Act No. 11930, or the Anti-Online Sexual Abuse or Exploitation of Children and Anti-Child Sexual Abuse or Exploitation Materials Act, online sexual abuse and exploitation of children and the production and distribution of child sexual abuse materials are criminal offenses.
For communities, the cases underscore the need for stronger child-protection mechanisms beyond police operations, including early reporting, family and community awareness, and coordination among barangay child-protection councils, social welfare offices, schools and law enforcement.
The challenge for authorities is not only to rescue children after exploitation has occurred, but also to identify those financing, facilitating and enabling the abuse—and ensure that survivors receive protection, psychosocial support and access to justice.
