Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, July 25) — A notorious sex offender was caught in Cebu in April through the joint efforts of local and international authorities, according to a group formed by local and foreign law enforcers.
Nelson Siacor Torayno was arrested last April 12 in a rented room in Cebu City, the Philippine Internet Crimes Against Children Center (PICACC) said in a statement Thursday.
Authorities found in his possession a number of videos and images of children abused by an adult.
The PICACC identified Torayno as one of the European Union’s Agency for Law Enforcement Cooperation’s most wanted criminal for the production and distribution of child sexual exploitation materials.
Since his arrest, some of his victims have come out to identify each other and the extent of his operation. A total of eight have been identified, raging from ages three to 11.
In a separate statement, the International Justice Mission (IJM) detailed the extent of Torayno’s crimes and how he was caught. The IJM is a part of the PICACC, which includes representatives from the Philippine National Police, the National Bureau of Investigation, the United Kingdom National Crime Agency and the Australian Federal Police.
Two girls went to the police to report that he touched them inappropriately, and identified a three year-old child who was often seen with Torayno. This led to the discovery of other victims.
Torayno met one boy in an internet shop, whom he befriended by paying for his video games. Eventually, Torayno led the chld to another location where he sexually abused him.
Two eight-year-old boys were found in Torayno’s house in Iligan City.
The IJM said Torayno operated online through a network of fake identities and digital security measures.
“A 2018 referral from the AFP led Philippine authorities to investigate Torayno’s illicit activities. IJM’s Criminal Analysis Center helped identify the suspect, uncovering a sophisticated network of fake online personas and digital security measures put in place to hide his criminal activities,” IJM said.
“All children rescued have been reintegrated back to their families and will continue to receive trauma-informed care,” it added.
