The Bureau of Immigration (BI) has cited its stronger collaboration among government agencies for the intensified efforts to combat child sexual abuse and exploitation materials (CSAEM) in the country.
According to BI spokesperson Dana Sandoval, the agency continues to intensify its efforts to combat child exploitation through its #ShieldKids campaign, a proactive initiative aimed at protecting children from abuse and ensuring that foreign predators do not evade justice by hiding in the Philippines.
She said the arrest of a Swedish national wanted for multiple child exploitation offenses on April 2 is a testament to this commitment as the BI’s fugitive search unit (FSU) headed by Rendel Ryan Sy worked closely with Swedish and US counterparts, as well as the National Bureau of Investigation – Violence Against Women and Children Division (NBI-VAWCD) to capture Heinz Henry Andreas Berglund, 55, in Angeles City, Pampanga.
Sandoval said that Berglund, who entered the country for only more than two weeks, was found to be wanted in Sweden for multiple counts of CSAEM under the Swedish Criminal Code. His victim was reportedly a 10-year-old child in Sweden.
According to reports, he has previous convictions for serious financial fraud. Authorities fear that his visit to the Philippines is to victimize more children.
Sandoval said the close coordination of the BI, NBI, and foreign counterparts led to the successful arrest of the said pedophile.
Last April 3, operatives of the BI’s intelligence division under Fortunato Manahan, Jr. also collared Indonesian Ignaz Ega Adhiaga after receiving coordination from the Philippine National Police (PNP) Directorate for Investigation and Detective Management Women and Children Protection Center.
It was learned that the BI received a report stating that Ignaz was involved in the trafficking of children, with the victim being merely nine years old He was reportedly in possession of several photos of young children from different countries including explicit materials.
Now, both suspects face deportation proceedings for violation of immigration laws.
