Nueva Ecija resident indicted for online sexual abuse of minors

THE Department of Justice has indicted a Nueva Ecija resident for selling sexual abuse and exploitation materials involving minors on social media.

Charged before the Cabanatuan City Regional Trial Court for violation of Sec 4 (c) of Republic Act 11930, also known as the Anti-Online Sexual Abuse of Exploitation of Children (OSAEC) and Anti-Child Sexual Abuse or Exploitation Materials (CSAEM) Act, was Benjie Ortillano, also known by the alias “Bench Ortillano Lee.”

Ortillano was arrested by operatives of the National Bureau of Investigation last May 15 based on information provided by the DOJ-led Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking.

A warrant to search, seize and examine Lee’s computer data was issued by Manila City Regional Trial Court Branch 4 Acting Presiding Judge James Sy.

Using the information provided by the IACAT, NBI operatives uncovered social media accounts associated with Ortillano, including a Twitter handle “@baste_xxx” and a Facebook account under the name “Bench Ortillano Lee” promoting explicit content of minors and offering discounts for access to a VIP Telegram Channel.

The indictment said further investigation revealed that Ortillano was maintaining minor models and facilitating the distribution of illicit materials through his Telegram channel.

It said Ortillano openly disclosed the availability of explicit images and videos that patrons could access for P499 to be sent to a Gcash account.

Upon payment, undercover NBI agents received a link from Ortillano leading to explicit videos, including footage of him engaging in sexual acts with minors. This led to the arrest of Ortillano.

“It is clear from the evidence presented that the liability of violating Section 4 (c) of RA 11930 falls upon respondent Benjie Ortillano aka Bench Ortillano Lee insofar as CSAEMs were found in his possession and the same were sent to complainant for a fee and the videos and photographs shows his direct engagement in the obscene activities with the minors,” part of the DOJ resolution signed by Assistant State Prosecutor Agnes Farida Bagaforo-Arellano II said.