Police chancing upon the cybersex den.
SAN JOSE CITY – Fourteen people were arrested while several computer sets were seized after police operatives overran an alleged cybersex extortion den in a rented apartment in Barangay Abar 1st here Wednesday evening.
The arrested suspects were identified as Emmanuel Claudio, 31; Darren Zabala, 28; Mark Roxas, 30; Jomari Robles, 22; Gerald Villamor, 28; Richard Bryan dela Cruz, 35; Andrew Roblez, 25; Charistian Libunao, 30; Christian Juntino, 22; Gerome de Leon, 27; Alfredo dela Cruz, 31; Roberto Revillo, 18; Mark Anthony Castillo, 23; and Michael Jolo Palma, 20.
The alleged operator of the cybersex extortion den, identified as Allan Coloma, was not around during the operation.
Acting Nueva Ecija police director Col. Jaime Santos said police confiscated 17 computer sets, an internet router and a modem used in the illicit cyber trade.
Santos said anti-drugs policemen discovered the place as they pursued a certain Ronnie Wagan who ran to the apartment to elude arrest in an earlier anti-drugs buy-bust operation.
Police said the suspects were caught in the act of running pornographic websites.
Investigation disclosed the suspects link their clients to the pornographic websites and later demand certain amount from them under threat of disclosing their identities.
“May binibenta silang site, link sa mga client nila na mga foreigners. Tapos pag binili, saka nila icha-chat at pinapasahan ng nude pictures,” Santos said. The suspects will then ask pictures from the clients.
“Pag nag-send ng nude pictures yung client nila, i-screenshot nila para gamitin pang blackmail sa client para makakuha ng pera,” he added.
Charges for violations of Republic Act 10175 or Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012 and Art. 201, 299, Sec. 4-E of RA 9208 of the Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act of 2003 are being prepared against the suspects.
The seized pieces of evidence were turned-over to the Anti-Cybercrime Group 3 for proper disposition.
“The operation is in line with the directives of PNP chief Gen. Debold Sinas that cyber criminals involved in online fraud, scams and other online illegal activities that may cause harm, confusion, and panic among people will be put in the bars of justice,” Santos said.
