The arrest of two men in Australia sparked an international investigation that saved six children in the Philippines from sexual abuse.
Two women were also arrested in the Philippines after two child sexual abuse investigations in Australia uncovered crucial evidence.
A 41-year-old Tasmanian man from Kings Meadows, near Launceston, was arrested in April over online child abuse offences, sparking a joint investigation between federal police in Australia and the Philippines.
Investigators seized child abuse images and videos as well as a text conversation with a person who had sold child abuse material that was stored on the charged man’s mobile phone.
Digital forensic analysis of the phone led Australian Federal Police investigators to evidence that the seller and the child victims were in the Philippines.
A second man, 41, was arrested at Melbourne Airport in April after child abuse material was found on his phone when he arrived on a flight from the Philippines.
A search of his home uncovered evidence of contact offending against child victims offshore.
Intelligence from both investigations was provided to the Philippine Internet Crimes Against Children Centre and AFP investigators in Manila identified common aspects between the cases, including victims linked to both men.
On November 14, police and social workers executed search warrants in the Cagayan De Oro region in the southern Philippines.
Two women, aged 43 and 23, were charged with human trafficking and child abuse material offences that carry a maximum penalty of life imprisonment.
The children, the youngest just two-years-old, were removed from harm and placed in the care of child welfare services.
The rescues and arrests were a powerful reminder of why the AFP worked closely with partners around the globe, AFP Manila liaison officer, Detective Sergeant Daisie Beckensall, said.
“These children’s lives have been irrecoverably damaged and we know there are too many other children still at risk," she said.
"That is why we will never give up our fight to keep children safe and stop those who try to exploit or abuse them.”
The Tasmanian man was charged with four counts of using a carriage service for child abuse material and four counts of using a carriage service to transmit indecent communication to a person under 16. The matter is still before the courts.
The Victorian man was charged by the AFP with several counts of possessing, soliciting and causing the transmission of child abuse material using a carriage service, one count of grooming a person to engage in sexual activity with a child under 16 outside Australia and one count of engaging in sexual activity with a child outside of Australia.
He pleaded guilty on November 28 and will be sentenced in April.
1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732)
National Sexual Abuse and Redress Support Service 1800 211 028
