Australian and Filipina arrested in Iloilo for live-streaming child abuse

live-streaming
John Loffler, aged 69, and Gladys Degala, 21, are now detained at Pavia Municipal Police Station following a raid on their home in Pavia today.

An Australian and his Filipina partner have been arrested in Iloilo City for allegedly live-streaming the sexual abuse of underage girls.

John Loffler, aged 69, and Gladys Degala, 21, are now detained at Pavia Municipal Police Station following a raid on their home in Pavia today (Saturday, September 15).

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Senior Superintendent Marlon Tayaba, director of the Iloilo Police Provincial Office, said no victims were found during the implementation of the search warrant.

However, he said that officers had recovered three laptops, four cellphones, an I-pad, identification cards and other computer storage devices.

“We will use these as evidences for the cases that will be filed against them,” he said.

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Sn. Supt. Tayaba said they had been monitoring the two suspects since they received a tip-off about their activities.

They then confirmed their illegal activity by using a police decoy to transact with the suspects online.

Loffler, a native of Melbourne, moved to Iloilo City sometime in 2015 and allegedly started his live-streaming business soon after.

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Sn. Supt. Tayaba said the suspects were engaged in recruiting minors and encouraging them to pose for nude photographs. He added that about ten girls aged from 13 to 16 had been victimised. 

“Then they will send it to their clients who are also foreigners,” he said.

He added that the suspects will be charged for violation of Article 201, in relation to Republic Act 10175 or the Cybercrime Prevention Act.

Yesterday, 12 suspects were arrested in Dagupan City for allegedly running a cyberporn den masquerading as a call centre.

NBI agent Rizaldy Jaymalin said 11 people — nine male and two female employees of the establishment — were seen chatting with foreigners as the agents swooped on the premises.

He added that the male employees were posing as females during live chats with clients.

“For as low as USD50 on signing up, these foreigners will be able to chat with them and see the woman behind the camera, not knowing that they were being scammed into viewing pre-recorded video clips of women,” he said.

Jaymalin said the 12 will be charged for violation of the Cybercrime Prevention Act.

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