'SEXTORTION' DEN BUSTED. Fourteen individuals were arrested while several computer sets were seized after police operatives discovered an alleged cybersex extortion den in a rented apartment in Barangay Abar 1st, San Jose City, Nueva Ecija on Wednesday night (March 3, 2021). Policemen discovered the place when they pursued drug suspect Ronnie Wagan who ran to the apartment to elude arrest during a drug buy-bust operation. (Contributed photo)
SAN JOSE CITY, Nueva Ecija – A drug bust led to the discovery and dismantling of a cybersex extortion den and the arrest of 14 suspects in Barangay Abar 1st in this city on Wednesday night.
Col. Jaime Santos, acting Nueva Ecija police director, said on Thursday that a drug peddler identified as Ronnie Wagan was being chased by the operatives and ran in an apartment in the village following a buy-bust operation.
This led to the discovery of the 14 suspects who were caught in the act of running pornographic websites.
Santos said the 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; Christian 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.
Santos said operatives also confiscated 17 sets of computers, an internet router, and a modem used in the illicit cyber trade.
Investigation disclosed the suspects link their clients to pornographic websites and will later demand a certain amount or disclose 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 (They sell sites, links to their clients who are foreigners. After buying, they chat and pass on nude pictures)," Santos said in an interview.
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 (Once their client sends nude pictures, they take screenshots to blackmail the client to get money), " he added.
Charges for violations of Republic Act (RA)10175 or Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012 and Article 201, 299, Section 4-E of RA 9208 of Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act of 2003 are being prepared against the suspects.
Meanwhile, the seized pieces of evidence were turned over to Anti-Cybercrime Group 3 for proper disposition. (PNA)
