Tasmanian man’s online exploitation material charges lead to child rescue in Philippines

An international police operation, established after a Tasmanian man was charged with online child exploitation offences in March, has resulted in the rescue of six children in the Philippines.

An investigation between the AFP and Philippine National Police resulted in six children being removed from harm in the Philippines. Picture: Australian Federal Police

An international police operation, which sprang into action after a 41-year-old Tasmanian man was charged with buying child exploitation material online early this year, has resulted in the rescue of six children in the Philippines.

The joint investigation between the Australian Federal Police and the Philippine National Police took place following a raid on the man’s Kings Meadows home in March by the Tasmanian Joint Anti Child Exploitation Team.

Police raid a location in the Cagayan De Oro region of the southern Philippines. Picture: Australian Federal Police

During the search, investigators allegedly found child abuse images and videos, and a text conversation on the man’s mobile phone relating to the sale of exploitation material.

Digital forensic evidence led AFP investigators to conclude the child sex was being run from the Philippines.

The man was charged with four counts of using a carriage service for child abuse material, and four counts of using a carriage service to transmit indecent communication to person under 16.

The matter is still before the courts.

After a Victorian man was arrested at Melbourne Airport in April and charged with grooming a person to engage in sexual activity with a child under 16 outside Australia, intelligence from both investigations was provided to the Philippine Internet Crimes Against Children Centre, with AFP officers identifying victims common to both men.

Philippine National Police subsequently executed search warrants in the Cagayan De Oro region in the southern Philippines, where six children – the youngest aged just two – were removed from harm and placed in the care of child welfare services.

Two women, aged 43 and 23, were arrested and face life imprisonment if found guilty after being charged with human trafficking and child abuse material offences.

Australian Federal Police liaison officer for Manila, Detective Sergeant Daisie Beckensall, said the case highlighted the AFP’s international network, and commitment to protect children around the world.

“The rescues and arrests are a powerful reminder of why the AFP works closely with partners around the globe – to share intelligence and the resources necessary to target anyone who preys on children,” Det Sgt Beckensall said.

“These children’s lives have been irrecoverably damaged and we know there are too many other children still at risk.

“That is why we will never give up our fight to keep children safe and stop those who try to exploit or abuse them.”

In late November, the Victorian man pleaded guilty to multiple child abuse material charges, one count of grooming a person to engage in sexual activity with a child under 16 outside Australia, and one count of engaging in sexual activity with a child outside of Australia.

He is due to be sentenced in April 2025.

Members of the public who have information about people involved in child abuse are urged to contact the Australian Centre To Counter Child Exploitation (ACCCE).