Authorities arrested 2 sisters for alleged involvement in sexual exploitation of minors online in Concepcion, Tarlac on June 10, 2025.
According to the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) on Monday, June 16, 2025, the case stemmed from the earlier arrest of Swedish national Heinz Henry Andreas Berglund on April 2, 2025, who was apprehended by the NBI-Violence Against Women and Children Division (VAWCD) and the Bureau of Immigration’s Fugitive Search Unit (BI-FSU) for alleged involvement in child sexual abuse and exploitation.
“Meanwhile, a separate investigation was launched by the NBI-VAWCD following a referral from Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Manila concerning a Filipina facilitator involved in the production and sale of live-streamed webcam shows depicting the sexual abuse of children for paying customers worldwide,” NBI wrote in a statement.
The Filipina facilitator was reportedly assisted by her older sister and used their younger relatives in the illegal operation.
Further evidence surfaced when the Nordic Liaison Office (NLO) in Manila linked Berglund to the same Filipina subject under investigation.
This confirmation prompted the NBI-VAWCD immediately secured two Warrant to Search, Seize and Examine Computer Data (WSSECD) to raid two homes in Concepcion, Tarlac identified as the suspects’ residences and the sites of exploitation.
"Ten minors, who were relatives of the subjects and victims of exploitation, were successfully rescued and immediately removed from the harmful environment to ensure their protection and welfare," said NBI.
Of the 10 rescued children, seven were boys and three were girls, with ages ranging from three months to sixteen years old.
Meanwhile, the suspects are facing multiple charges for violations of Republic Act No. 11930 (Anti-OSAEC and CSAEMs Act), Republic Act No. 9208 as amended by Republic Act No. 11862 (Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act), and Republic Act No. 7610 (Special Protection of Children Against Abuse, Exploitation, and Discrimination).
Their names were not disclosed to protect the identity of their victims who were their relatives.
"On June 11, 2025, Subjects were presented for inquest proceedings before the Department of Justice, Manila for the aforementioned violations of law," NBI concluded.
NBI Director Jaime B. Santiago advised parents to be vigilant and protect their children against online sexual abuse and exploitation.
