DOJ files case vs suspect selling explicit content involving minors

MANILA, Philippines — 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 “Bench Ortillano Lee.”

Section of 4 (c) of  R.A. 11930 provides that “regardless 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”: ( c ) “To offer, sell, distribute, advertise, promote, export, or import by any means or a combination of both.”

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: 7 Filipino cruise ship workers arrested on child porn charges

“The 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,” 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 “open source intelligence” to identify Ortillano’s 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.

“This 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,” Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla said in a statement released by the DOJ.