MANILA, Philippines 鈥� The Department of Justice (DOJ) has filed a criminal case against an individual for selling explicit images of minors online.
Facing a case for violation of Section 4 (c) of Republic Act 11930 or the Anti-Online Sexual Abuse of Exploitation of Children (OSAEC) and Anti-Child Sexual Abuse or Exploitation Materials Act (CSAEM) is Benjie Ortillano or 鈥淏ench Ortillano Lee.鈥�
Section of 4 (c) of聽 R.A. 11930 provides that 鈥渞egardless of the consent of the child, it shall unlawful for any person to commit the following acts through online or offline means or a combination of both鈥�: ( c ) 鈥淭o offer, sell, distribute, advertise, promote, export, or import by any means or a combination of both.鈥�
In its resolution issued by Assistant State Prosecutor Agnes Farida Bagafaro-Arellano II, she said they did not find any irregularities in the arrest and the subsequent proceedings conducted against Ortillano.
READ:
鈥淭he narration and recollection of the arresting officers of the NBI-NCR support the legitimacy of the arrest of respondent Ortillano as the latter was apprehended while in the act of committing the imputed offense,鈥� the DOJ resolution stated.
Ortillano was arrested last March by operatives of the National Investigation Bureau of Investigation-National Capital Region (NBI-NCR).
The operation stemmed from information that Ortillano was selling sexually explicit materials involving minors.
The NBI conducted an 鈥渙pen source intelligence鈥� to identify Ortillano鈥檚 social media accounts, where he promoted his explicit materials and offered discounts for access through a VIP Telegram channel.
Ortillano was purportedly offering access to explicit images and videos for P499 to be sent to a designated GCash account.
Upon payment, the NBI received a link from Ortillano which was used to secure a warrant to search, seize, and examine computer data from Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 4 of Manila City against the suspect.
鈥淭his decisive action underscores our unwavering commitment to protecting children from online exploitation. This sends a clear message to perpetrators that justice will prevail, and the law will be enforced to its fullest extent,鈥� Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla said in a statement released by the DOJ.