A Queensland man has been sentenced to two years’ imprisonment and 16 children in the Philippines have been removed from harm after an international child protection investigation.
The man, 57, was sentenced by the Downing Centre District Court yesterday (12 August, 2024) for two child abuse-related offences, including trying to arrange sexual activity with children in the Philippines.
AFP Detective Acting Inspector Emmanuel Tsardoulias said the investigation showed the commitment of police around the world to work together to combat the exploitation and abuse of children.
“Our common goal is to protect children, wherever they live, and to ensure anyone who tries to harm them is identified and brought before the courts. This is not a victimless crime. Children are not commodities to be used for the abhorrent gratification of sexual predators.”
Det A/Inspector Tsardoulias added:
“The AFP is working hand-in-glove with its partners here in Australia and abroad to find these offenders and bring them to justice.”
AFP Eastern Command Child Protection investigators arrested the Mackay man at Sydney International Airport in January 2023, after Australian Border Force (ABF) officers found child abuse material on his phone.
ABF officers inspected the man’s phone and located messages detailing his intent to pay a facilitator to enable him to sexually abuse children in the Philippines.
The AFP was alerted and began an investigation into his activities and subsequently charged him.
ABF Acting Superintendent Andrew Snook said Border Force officers had a zero-tolerance approach to child abuse material: “There is no place for child abuse material within our community.”
Philippine National Police (PNP) Chief of the Women and Children Protection Centre Police Brigadier General Portia Manalad said the PNP and the AFP worked collaboratively to enable the success of this investigation.
“The sharing of intelligence is vital in arresting perpetrators in both Philippines and Australia,” she said.
The AFP also shared intelligence gathered during the investigation with the Philippine Internet Crimes Against Children Centre (PICACC).
This resulted in further inquiries by the Philippine National Police (PNP), with the support of the AFP and other PICACC members, which led to 16 children being removed from harm in the Philippines.
The man pleaded guilty in February, 2024 to:
- One count of intentionally importing tier 2 goods, being child abuse material, without approval, contrary to section 233BAB(5) of the Customs Act 1901 (Cth);
- One count of preparing/planning to engage in sexual activity with a child outside of Australia, contrary to section 272.20(1) of the Criminal Code 1995 (Cth).
He was sentenced to two years’ imprisonment and ordered to pay a $2500 fine. The man has been remanded in custody since 30 July, 2023, and will be released on 30 September, 2024, to serve the rest of his sentence in the community under the supervision of a parole officer.
Support Our Journalism
Global Indian Diaspora and Australia’s multicultural communities need fair, non-hyphenated, and questioning journalism, packed with on-ground reporting. The Australia Today – with exceptional reporters, columnists, and editors – is doing just that. Sustaining this needs support from wonderful readers like you.
Whether you live in Australia, the United Kingdom, Canada, the United States of America, or India you can take a paid subscription by clicking Patreon and support honest and fearless journalism.
