Ninety-two children have been removed from harm and 13 Australians have been charged following coordinated international operations targeting child abuse crimes linked to the Philippines.
The Australian Federal Police said its investigations, carried out with international law enforcement partners, led to 40 children being rescued in the Philippines and criminal charges filed against 13 Australians through AFP-led cases. The operations formed part of joint efforts under the Philippine Internet Crimes Against Children Center, known as PICACC, which brings together authorities from the Philippines, Australia, the United Kingdom, and the Netherlands to dismantle online child sexual exploitation networks.
Across 35 operations in 2025, PICACC reported that 92 children were removed from harm and 18 alleged child exploitation facilitators were charged. Since the initiative began in February 2019, PICACC has conducted 324 operations, resulting in 865 victims being removed from harm and charges laid against 187 people. AFP investigations account for 77 people charged and 315 children rescued in the Philippines.
The AFP said Australians are believed to be major offenders in the Filipino child abuse trade, citing overlapping time zones, direct flights, widespread English use, strong internet infrastructure in the Philippines, and the willingness of offenders to pay large sums for child abuse material.
“It is horrific how many Australian criminals are helping to drive this vile demand in the Philippines for offenders to abuse innocent children, and the AFP and international partners are committed to targeting these crimes, protecting children and putting offenders before court,” AFP Detective Sergeant Leesa Alexander, who is based in Manila, said. “Child abuse is abhorrent and can leave victims with a lifelong burden.”
AFP Commander Human Exploitation Helen Schneider said law enforcement efforts would continue against Australian-based offenders operating domestically and overseas. “We will continue our fight to keep children safe from those who try to exploit or abuse them,” she said. “Every action online is traceable, and offenders who think they can outsmart law enforcement online should think again.” She added, “Let me be clear just because the offending may not happen in Australia, we will still find you.”
In a recent case, a 43-year-old man from Wangaratta was charged with possessing and soliciting child abuse material after being intercepted upon arrival at Melbourne Airport from overseas. Further investigations led to search warrants at three properties in Davao, where 11 children were removed from harm and two women and one man were arrested by Philippine authorities.
Philippine National Police Women and Children’s Protection Centre chief Brigadier General Sheila Portento said protecting children required community involvement. “We need communities to be involved in reporting cases and let us do our part to address the abuse so somebody will be held accountable for their actions,” she said. “The partnership between PNP and AFP is crucial to removing children from harm.”
Authorities urged the public to report information related to child abuse to law enforcement and encouraged parents and carers to take steps to protect children online.
