Media Release
11 children removed from harm in the Philippines and three alleged child abuse facilitators arrested, following AFP intelligence
This is a joint media release between Australian Federal Police and Philippines National Police.
Editor’s note: Vision of a search warrant in the Philippines is available via Hightail.
Eleven children have been removed from harm in the Philippines, and three alleged child abuse facilitators have been arrested by the Philippine National Police (PNP), following a joint investigation sparked by AFP intelligence.
The matter began in September, 2025, when ABF members searched a Wangaratta man, 43, upon his arrival at Melbourne Airport. He was allegedly found to be in possession of child abuse material with authorities locating information relating to a suspected child abuse syndicate in the Philippines.
The Victorian Joint Anti Child Exploitation Team (JACET), comprising AFP and Victoria Police members, executed a search warrant at a Wangaratta home on 1 October, 2025, and seized electronic devices and printed images depicting child abuse material.
The AFP subsequently charged the man, 43, with alleged child abuse offences including the live streaming of abuse. The matter remains before court.
It is alleged a forensic search of the devices identified further online chats with persons located in the Philippines facilitating the live stream abuse of children. It is alleged the Wangaratta man transferred payments to the child abuse facilitators in Mati City, Davao Oriental to view the abuse online in real time.
This intelligence was assessed by JACET members and referred to the PNP for investigation. Acting on the intelligence provided by the AFP, the PNP executed search warrants at three properties in Mati City yesterday, 5 December, 2025.
Eleven children were removed from harm as a result.
Two women and one man were arrested by the PNP for offences against the Anti-Online Sexual Abuse or Exploitation of Children and Anti-Child Sexual Abuse or Exploitation Materials Act.
AFP Manila Post Detective Sergeant Leesa Alexander said the cooperation between AFP and PNP was critical to removing children from harm and bringing offenders to justice.
“The working relationship between our law enforcement agencies is a testament to investigators in the AFP and PNP,” Det-Sgt Alexander said.
“The sharing of resources and intelligence allows us to remove children from harm and stop offenders – regardless of the country they are in.
“We remain committed to ensure the safety and protection of children – no matter where they are in the world.”
PNP Police Brigadier General Sheila Portento said the lives of these 11 children had been changed as a result of the strong partnership between the PNP and AFP.
“We will continue to share intelligence and support cross-jurisdictional investigations to identify and stop those who seek to harm children,” Brigadier General Portento said.
The AFP and its partners are committed to stopping child exploitation and abuse and the ACCCE is driving a collaborative national approach.
The ACCCE brings together specialist expertise and skills in a central hub, supporting investigations into online child sexual exploitation and developing prevention strategies focused on creating a safer online environment.
Members of the public who have information about people involved in child abuse are urged to contact the ACCCE. If you know abuse is happening right now, or a child is at risk, call police immediately on 000.
If you, or someone you know, is impacted by child sexual abuse and online exploitation, support services are available.
Advice and support for parents and carers about how they can help protect children online can be found at the ThinkUKnow website, an AFP-led education program designed to prevent online child sexual exploitation.
For more information on the role of the ACCCE, what online child sexual exploitation is and how to report it visit the ACCCE website.
Notes to media
Use of term 'CHILD ABUSE' MATERIAL not ‘CHILD PORNOGRAPHY’
The correct legal term is Child Abuse Material – the move to this wording was among amendments to Commonwealth legislation in 2019 to more accurately reflect the gravity of the crimes and the harm inflicted on victims.
Use of the phrase ‘child pornography’ is inaccurate and benefits child sex abusers because it:
- indicates legitimacy and compliance on the part of the victim and therefore legality on the part of the abuser; and
- conjures images of children posing in 'provocative' positions, rather than suffering horrific abuse.
Every photograph or video captures an actual situation where a child has been abused.
