Online abuse leads to lawyer’s arrest in child sex case
INQUIRER FILE PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines—A string of criminal cases was filed by the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) against a CPA-lawyer for sexually exploiting children.
The NBI identified the suspect as Michael Pepania Molina, who was arrested on March 25.
“The subject was caught in his bedroom with two boys, ages 15 and 12. The team found a smartphone in his possession, which rang when the agents called the number associated with his Google account,” the NBI said in a statement.
Cases for violation of Section 4 in relation to Section 6 of Republic Act 11930 or Anti-Online Sexual Abuse or Exploitation of Children (OSAEC) and Anti-Child Sexual Abuse or Exploitation Materials (CSAEM)
Act, Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act and Anti-Child Abuse Act were filed against Molina.
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The case started when the NBI-Human Trafficking Division (HTRAD) on Oct. 18, 2024 received a case referral from the Department of Justice – Office of Cybercrime (DOJ-OOC) about a certain “Kenchi-11,” who was allegedly uploading and storing numerous child sexual abuse or exploitation materials in his google account.
The materials showed numerous pubescent male children engaged in sexual activity with other pubescent male minors and adult males, including the suspect.
“The case was referred to Combatting Trafficking in Person for Open-Source Intelligence analysis, which revealed that the subject is Michael Pepania Molina, a member of the Philippine Bar, who resides and works in Zamboanga City,” the NBI said.
Last March 21, the NBI-HTRAD, together with NCC-OSAEC-CSAEM agents, went to Zamboanga City. Together with the NBI-Western Mindanao Office and the Department of Social Welfare and Development, they were able to obtain the statements of two victims.
The victims said the suspect would ask them to do shows, perform sexual acts on the suspect, and record it on his phone.
Last March 25, the Zamboanga Regional Trial Court issued a warrant for Molina’s arrest, which was immediately implemented and led to his arrest.
Authorities seized in his room several external hard drives, various CSAEMs, and folders with the names of boys.
