04/09/2026
PRESS RELEASE | NBI RESCUES TWO SEXUAL ABUSE VICTIMS IN MISAMIS ORIENTAL, QUIRINO
The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), through its Human Trafficking Division (NBI-HTRAD), successfully rescued two victims in two separate operations in Misamis Oriental and Quirino.
In the first operation stemming from a referral by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the NBI-HTRAD, in coordination with the NBI-Northeastern Mindanao Regional Office (NBI-NEMRO), located and rescued a woman on August 17, 2026, who had been identified as a victim in a series of child sexual abuse and exploitation materials first referred to the Philippines in 2013.
The case remained unresolved for more than a decade until a review in October 2025 yielded new information that helped investigators identify and locate the victim, who is now an adult.
The investigation used open-source intelligence, digital tracing, and cross-checks of social media accounts and government records to establish the victim's identity and current location. Field verification and surveillance were also conducted before the victim was approached.
Following her rescue, she provided a sworn statement to NBI-HTRAD investigators in Misamis Oriental. She disclosed that intimate images of her had been taken without her consent and later circulated online by a foreign national with whom she had been involved at the time. Her statement will be provided to FBI to support its continuing investigation into the subject within its jurisdiction.
In the second operation, the NBI-HTRAD, in coordination with the NBI-Cagayan Valley Regional Office (NBI-CAVRO), NBI-Bayombong District Office (NBI-BAYDO), NBI-Isabela District Office (NBI-ISDO), and the Municipal Social Welfare and Development Office (MSWDO) of Diffun, Quirino, conducted a physical surveillance operation on August 19, 2026, following a request for assistance from the UK National Crime Agency (UK NCA).
The operation resulted in the successful location and rescue of a minor victim who was allegedly subjected to illicit communications and activities involving a British national. The minor was subsequently placed under the custody of the Diffun MSWDO for proper care, protection, and appropriate intervention.
These successful operations highlight the NBI's continuing commitment to protecting victims of exploitation, particularly children, and pursuing cases in cooperation with international law enforcement partners. They also demonstrate the importance of sustained investigation and case review, as advances in digital investigative methods, access to records, and stronger international cooperation can help resolve cases that may have remained unsolved for years.
The NBI likewise recognizes the assistance of the FBI, UK NCA, National Center for Missing & Exploited Children, MSWDO of Manticao, Misamis Oriental, MSWDO of Diffun, Quirino, and NGO partner Justice Reigns and Just Philippines Project in these efforts.
