Mom arrested for pimping own kids online

The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) arrested a 38-year-old mother for allegedly pimping her four kids online. 

According to John Consulta’s “24 Oras” report Thursday, the NBI Violence Against Women and Children Division (NBI-VAWCD) apprehended the suspect and rescued the four victims aged 8, 9, 12, and 14, who had been reportedly suffering from the abuse since 2020. 

“Nag-conduct ng search warrant ang US sa isang American at nakita na kausap ng banyagang ito ang isang Filipina kaya kinoordinate nila sa atin ito. Nagkaroon tayo ng joint operation, joint investigation, sinurveillance,” said NBI-VAWCD Chief Yehlen Agus.

(Our US counterparts conducted a search warrant against an American and found the foreigner had been in contact with a Filipina. They coordinated with us and we conducted joint operation, joint investigation, and surveillance.)

“Sabi ng mga bata pinaghuhubad sila infront of a foreigner, infront of a camera, pini-pucturan, naka-live show sila. Lahat ng klase ng kalaswaan, pinapagawa sa kanila ng sarili nilang nanay,” Agus said. 

(The victims said they were asked to take off their clothes. Their pictures were being taken and were instructed to do a live show.)

The suspect reportedly earns P2,000 to P3,000 per live show. She is facing charges for qualified trafficking, and child abuse without bail. 

“’Yung mga bata dito akala nila walang effect ito sa kanila pero merong effect 'to psychologically. Even nung ininterview namin ang mga bata, naiiyak sila. Hindi nila alam kung bakit pinapagawa ng nanay nila 'yun,” said Agus. 

(The children don’t know it yet but this will affect them psychologically. Even during the interview they were crying and puzzled why their mother did that.)

The minors are now under the custody of the  Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).

“Hindi sapat yung kinikita ng asawa ko kaya ko nagawa yun. Hihingi po ako ng tawad sa mga ginawa ko sa kanila. Hihingi ako ng sorry at pagbabayaran ko sa kulungan ang nagawa ko,” the suspect said. 

(My husband’s salary is not enough for us. I want to apologize to my kids.)—Sundy Locus/LDF, GMA Integrated News