Man poses as minor to get explicit photos and videos from minor victims online

• An arrest was made in Hagonoy, Bulacan, for an online grooming and blackmailing of minors
• The 24-year-old suspect pretended to be a teenager to gain victims’ trust
• At least eight minors were targeted and threatened, according to a report by GMA Network's '24 Oras'
• The case will fall under laws against online child abuse and exploitation

A 24-year-old man was arrested in Hagonoy, Bulacan, after he posed as a minor online and befriended young people to get their private photos and videos.

NBI Human Trafficking Division officers served an arrest warrant and found many explicit images of minors on his mobile phone.

Officers said he would start by sending a friend request and pretending to be the same age as the victim. Grooming began once he gained their trust.

He then asked for sexual photos or videos.

Once he received the files, he threatened to spread them if the victims refused to perform sexual acts on a video call.

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Investigators later learned that he had not only abused one victim. At least eight minors were being groomed and pressured to send explicit photos and videos.

NBI Human Trafficking Division chief Sally Laguardia explained that the suspect used the same method on all victims.

She said officers confirmed a pattern of manipulation, threats, and emotional pressure.

NBI director Lito Magno reminded parents to stay alert and observe changes in their children’s behavior.

He said that unusual silence, loss of appetite, or sudden mood changes can signal a problem. He urged families to keep communication open so children do not become victims of predators.

The suspect will face charges under the Anti-Online Sexual Abuse or Exploitation of Children and Child Sexual Abuse or Exploitation Materials Act.

He did not give a statement after the arrest. Authorities continue to review the files recovered from his phone and are checking if more victims were targeted.

Watch the report in the video below:

In a previous report by KAMI, a family of three was mercilessly shot and killed inside their store in Barangay Mallorca, San Leonardo, Nueva Ecija. Caught by CCTV, three men entered their store, closed the roll-up door, and shot the entire family to death. Before fleeing, one of the suspects even grabbed a bag and a mobile phone from the victim. In a report by Gary De Leon of TV 5's 'Frontline Pilipinas,' the family started getting threats after lending P1-M to one of the residents of their barangay; allegedly using the money for business.

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In another viral local report, a 51-year-old public school teacher in Las Piñas City was stabbed multiple times by her own husband. According to the report of EJ Gomez in 'Unang Balita,' the 38-year-old suspect committed the crime inside the school's faculty room. Police authorities said the school has a security guard, but, being a familiar face in the school, the suspect managed to easily get in and out of the school. The suspect said he was there to talk to his wife and settle their misunderstanding, but unfortunately, it led to a big arguement.

Source: KAMI.com.gh