Members of the police team from the Regional Intelligence Branch and Anti-Cybercrime Division in Region 3 in City of San Fernando, Pampanga and the Balanga City police discovered the illegal activity after they served a search warrant against Edgar Reyes aka Cesar in Maria Lourdes Subdivision in Barangay Cupang Proper.
Reyes was not around but police operatives instead found and arrested 19 male models or performers of cybersex, said Supt. Joel Tampis, Balanga City police chief.
Tampis said the suspects aged 18 – 31 years old will be charged for violation of the Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act of 2003 under Republic Act 9208.
A police source said the suspects exhibit lewd shows and expose body parts to paying clients, mostly gays, from foreign countries.
One of the suspects said he received P300 for the job. He, however, claimed that they only sell link to clients.
Cupang Proper Barangay Chairman Norman Guila and barangay secretary Roman Baul said the suspects seemed to belong to a well-organized group.
Baul said police are still looking for another apartment where motorcycles used by the suspects are being hidden. “Walang ingay ang bahay at kahit basura at nabubulok na pagkain ay hindi inilalabas,” he said.
“Una simpling bahay lamang pero nagbago, biglang tumaas ang gate. Inuupahan lamang ito,” Guila said.
The village chief said that when he arrived at the place, he saw three or four of the suspects wearing only shorts and nude from their waists up.
“Malaking pera raw ang operation sa cybersex, sabi ng otoridad sa akin. Hindi internet café ang bahay. Siguro talagang inihanda sa ganoong trabaho,” he said.
Guila said that of the 19 arrested, only one came from his village. Most of the suspects are from Dinalupihan, Bataan, some from Pilar, also in Bataan and others from Metro Manila.
The police chief said they were still undertaking documentation and booking procedures on the suspects.
