Sydney man arrested over allegations he procured a child in the Philippines to abuse online

Police have alleged a man living in Australia worked with people in the Philippines to find a child so abuse could be livestreamed online.

A 12-year-old girl has been rescued in the Philippines and a Sydney man arrested over allegations he was set to livestream child abuse.

The 63-year-old man, who lives in North Rocks near Parramatta, faces a string of child abuse charges. He could spend up to 15 years behind bars.

He was arrested following a joint operation between the Australian Federal Police (AFP) and Philippines police.

The AFP has alleged that the man communicated with people offshore to procure children — via a trusted adult — to enable the production and transmission of child abuse material at his request.

It is believed the young girl is the victim of live-streamed child abuse involving a Sydney man. Further arrests cannot be ruled out, the AFP said.

The joint investigation was sparked when the 63-year-old was referred to the AFP from the National Centre for Missing and Exploited Children and the Australian Centre to Counter Child Exploitation in July this year.

Arrests in the Philippines are linked to Sydney man. Pictures: AFP/PNP.

The area where the arrests were made has low living standards. Picture: AFP/PNP.

It is alleged the Sydney man had uploaded child abuse material to social media and live-streamed child abuse from overseas.

After the tip off, AFP investigators from the NSW Joint Anti Child Exploitation Team commenced Operation Culgoa. This investigated the Sydney man and other possible offenders and victims in the Philippines.

The investigation led the detectives to search the man’s home where they found electronic devices allegedly containing child abuse material.

On 25 October, Philippine police accompanied by the AFP raided a premises in the city of Rizal, about a two hours’ drive from Manila. There, police arrested a 39-year-old woman and rescued a 12-year-old girl.

The AFP’s senior officer in Manila, Federal Agent Andrew Perkins, said the international investigation demonstrated the importance of cross-border collaboration to stop the abuse of children.

“Today’s outcome demonstrates the commitment of the AFP, the PNP (Philippines National Police) and our international partners to protect children no matter where they live.

“Sadly there is an appetite for child abuse material online which leads to vulnerable children becoming pawns in a form of abuse that can have devastating impacts.

“The arrest and rescue sends a strong message that, if you are taking part in this vile industry, law enforcement will find you,” Agent Perkins said.

The man was charged with one count of procuring child to engage in sexual activity outside of Australia; one count of using a carriage service to solicit child pornography, one count of transmitting child pornography material and three counts of possessing child abuse material

Three of the four charges carry a maximum penalty of 15 years in jail.

He will appear at Parramatta Local Court on 22 November.