A Filipino national accused of sexually exploiting more than 100 children across various provinces in the Philippines has been arrested in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and is set to be extradited to his home country. The announcement was made by Benjamin "Benhur" Abalos Jr., the Secretary of the Philippine Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG), during an official visit to the UAE.
The suspect, whose identity has not been disclosed, allegedly exploited children by selling their explicit photos and videos to foreign clients, receiving payments online. The arrest was made following a Red Notice issued by Interpol, requesting law enforcement agencies worldwide to locate and provisionally arrest the individual pending extradition.
Abalos described the arrest as a significant victory in the fight against human trafficking and child exploitation, emphasizing the collaborative efforts between the UAE and the Philippine governments. He warned that those involved in such crimes "have no safe haven" and will be held accountable wherever they are.
This is not the first time UAE authorities have aided in apprehending wanted individuals from the Philippines. In 2016, they assisted in the arrest of a known Filipino drug lord, demonstrating a continued commitment to international cooperation in tackling crime.
UAE officials have yet to release a statement regarding the arrest. The extradition process is expected to proceed promptly to bring the suspect back to the Philippines to face charges.
