Three Children Saved from Online Sexual Abuse During Lockdown
Last 15 May 2020, the Preda Foundation admitted into its care three children aged 14, 11 and six who were rescued by operatives of the National Bureau of Investigation’s Anti-Human Trafficking Division (NBI-AHTRAD) and the Philippine National Police-Women and Children Protection Center (PNP-WCPC) from a 34-year old female suspect. The female suspect is the stepmother of the 14- and six-year old children and is reported to be forcing the children to perform sexual acts on webcam for paying customers.
Upon admission to the Preda Home for Girls, the three children were placed under quarantine and were given rapid diagnostic test for COVID-19 the following morning. Fortunately, all three tested negative. However, they will remain under quarantine for a total of 14 days following the protocol of the Department of Health.
Placing newly admitted children under quarantine and submitting them to a rapid diagnostic test are protocols enforced by Preda to protect all the children in its care against the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome-Coronavirus 2 (SARS–CoV–2).
As of May 4, more than 300 COVID-19 cases have been confirmed among those in detention facilities throughout the Philippines including the Correctional Institution for Women in Mandaluyong. The Preda Foundaiton in April has launched an online campaign encouraging mayors to release children below 15 years old detained in the Bahay Pag-Asa and other youth detention centers. The campaign also calls on the Public Attorney’s Office to utilize the circulars recently issued by the Supreme Court allowing the release of detainees, children or otherwise, through payment of bail and on recognizance.
