By Christopher Lloyd Caliwan | Philippine News Agency
Authorities arrived on Thursday with Teddy Jay Mojeca Mejia, an alleged big-time Filipino child sex trafficker who was arrested in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.
In a press conference at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport, Interior Secretary Benhur Abalos referred to Mejia as a “demon” who engaged in selling child sexual abuse and exploitation materials.
“Lumalabas, itong demonyong ito, pinoprofile niya ’yung mga batang loner, mga batang matatalino. Isipin mo, 9 years old, 10, 11—musmos na musmos ’yan,” Abalos said.
He said Mejia would offer P500 to the loners spending considerable time online in exchange for the child’s photo.
“Pagkatapos magpadala ng litrato. Kung ayaw na nung bata tatakutin na nito. ’Yong mukha ng bata lalagyan niya ng fake na nakahubad so yung bata ngayon papalag,” he said.
“What do you expect at ’yong iba, ginagahasa at paggahasa tini-tape pa at binibenta pa ulit hanggang ’yong mga bata na-enslave niya. Gano’n kasamâ itong hindi-tao,” he added.
Mejia was arrested pursuant to the Red Notice issued by Interpol. He is also on the Red Notice list of the National Bureau of Investigation.
Abalos vowed to work closely with other government agencies to address online child sexual abuse and exploitation.
“Hindi kami titigil sa bawat isla sa buong Pilipinas just to end this online child exploitation. Kaya binabalaan ko [na] tumigil na ’yong mga kamukha nitong demonyong ito,” Abalos said.
He also called on parents to raise their children with care and love and nurture them in the right direction.
“Bantayan natin ang mga anak natin,” Abalos said.
Abalos said there should be a law that would penalize the consumers of sexually explicit photos and videos involving minors.
He said Mejia would face charges of statutory rape, qualified trafficking of persons, and violations of Republic Act 11930, or the Anti Online Sexual Exploitation of Children and Anti Child Sexual Abuse or Exploitation Materials Act.
Mejia had been previously arrested in 2014 and 2015 in the Philippines for violations of the Anti-Child Abuse Law and Anti-Photo and Video Voyeurism Act.