Alleged sex offender arrested in UAE now extradited, says senior Filipino official

A Filipino accused of sexually exploiting more than 100 children back in the Philippines and arrested in the UAE has been extradited, a senior Philippine minister who came here on an official visit announced.

Taking to his official Facebook account on Wednesday, Benjamin 'Benhur' Abalos Jr., Secretary of the Philippine Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG), said in native language: “A notorious and ruthless big-time child trafficker who preys on hundreds of Filipino children has been arrested in the UAE. With our cooperation and the help of the UAE government, we will return this child trafficker to the Philippines tomorrow (September 12).”

Abalos called it a victory and "a huge step in the government's strong fight against human trafficking and in the strict protection of our youth from abusers".

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He also issued a stern warning: “For the heartless abusers of minors, the message is clear: You have no safe haven; wherever you go, you will surely face the law and justice will prevail.”

Abalos did not identify the suspect but Philippine authorities said there were more than 100 identified victims of sexual exploitation. Some of the victims were said to have been rescued in operations in different provinces and cities across the Philippines, including Nueva Vizcaya and Quirino provinces; as well as in cities of Taguig, Bacoor, Cavite, Marilao, Bulacan, La Union, and Baguio.

The suspect allegedly sold pictures and videos of the young victims to foreigners and received payment online. He was arrested following a Red Notice (request to law enforcement worldwide to locate and provisionally arrest a person pending extradition, surrender, or similar legal action) issued by Interpol.

UAE authorities have yet to issue a statement on the arrest.

Previous extradition

This is not the first time that the UAE government helped in the arrest of a wanted individual in the Philippines. Back in October 2016, the Abu Dhabi Police arrested known Filipino drug lord Kerwin Espinosa, whose real name is Rolan Eslabon Espinosa.

Philippine authorities coordinated with the Abu Dhabi Criminal Investigation Department (CID) for the extradition of Espinosa, who was named as the biggest drug lord in Eastern Visayas and No. 2 on the Philippines' most wanted list, senior superintendent Albert Ferro, acting director of the Philippine National Police Anti-Illegal Drugs Group, then told Khaleej Times.

'Busy' secretary