Four children have been removed from harm in the Philippines, and a West Australian man has been sentenced to 14 years' imprisonment for child abuse offences, following an international investigation.
The Mandurah man, 68, was sentenced in Perth Magistrates Court yesterday (30 April, 2026). He will be eligible for parole in nine years.
An AFP investigation began in June, 2024, after Australian Border Force (ABF) officers selected the man for a baggage examination when he arrived in Perth on an international flight.
ABF officers located communications on a social media application on the man's phone between him and overseas-based individuals related to child abuse material and reported the matter to the AFP.
The AFP executed a search warrant at the man's home on 21 June, 2024, where they found videos and images of child abuse material on a second phone.
Police also found evidence the man communicated with overseas-based individuals via social media applications to solicit child abuse material and had arranged to meet minors to engage in sexual activity in the Philippines across an extended period. There was also evidence he paid overseas facilitators for child abuse material.
AFP officers based in Manila provided information to the Philippine Internet Crimes Against Children Centre (PICAAC), which resulted in the Philippine National Police, Women and Children Protection Centre (PNP WCPC) identifying and removing four children - three in Cebu and one in Mansalay - from harm. A woman, 41, who is known to one of the children, was charged by the Philippine National Police and remains before the court.
The WA man pleaded guilty in April, 2025, to:
One count of persistent sexual abuse of a child outside Australia, contrary to section 272.11(1) of the Criminal Code (Cth);
Two counts of grooming a person to make it easier to engage in sexual activity with a child outside Australia, contrary to section 272.15A of the Criminal Code (Cth);
One count of preparing for or planning an offence against Subdivision B, contrary to section 272.20(2) of the Criminal Code (Cth);
Two counts of causing a child to engage in sexual activity in the presence of the defendant, and outside Australia, contrary to section 272.9(2) of the Criminal Code (Cth); and
One count of possessing material, being child abuse material, in the form of data contained in a data storage device and had used a carriage service to obtain or access the material, contrary to section 474.22A(1) of the Criminal Code (Cth).
AFP Detective Superintendent Peter Chwal said the AFP and its partners were committed to identifying and stopping anyone involved in the exploitation or abuse of children.
"Children - whether they are in Australia or another country - deserve to be protected from harm, as they are some of the most vulnerable members of our society," Det-Supt Chwal said.
"Investigators are committed to seeking justice for any child who has been exploited by a sexual predator.
"Anyone involved in the abuse or exploitation of children needs to know our officers work tirelessly to ensure they are identified and prosecuted."
Chief of the Women and Children Protection Centre, Police Brigadier General Sheila Portento, said the PNP WCPC stood united with the AFP and ABF in celebrating the result.
"This case was a powerful reminder of what can be achieved when nations work hand in hand to protect the innocent," Police Brigadier General Portento said.
"Through compassion, commitment, and collaboration, our agencies give a voice to the voiceless and hope to the harmed.
"To every child, know this: you are not forgotten. We will continue to fight for your safety, your dignity, and your future - no matter where justice takes us."
ABF Commander Ranjeev Maharaj said tackling child abuse remained an important part of the ABF's role in protecting Australia from individuals who might pose a threat to the community.
"Unfortunately, our officers intercept individuals with child abuse material on their devices at the airport all too often," Commander Maharaj said.
"This case reminds us that the vigilance and actions of our ABF officers have made significant, real-world differences, including to four children in the Philippines, along with ensuring the perpetrator has been brought to justice."
PICAAC is a collective law enforcement effort to combat child exploitation across the Philippines.
It involves the AFP, PNP WCPC, National Bureau of Investigation Anti-Human Trafficking Division, the United Kingdom National Crime Agency, the International Justice Mission, and Netherlands Police.
The AFP and its partners are committed to stopping child exploitation and abuse and the AFP-led Australian Centre to Counter Child Exploitation (ACCCE) is driving a collaborative national approach.
The ACCCE brings together specialist expertise and skills in a central hub, supporting investigations into online child sexual exploitation and developing prevention strategies focused on creating a safer online environment.
Members of the public who have information about people involved in child abuse are urged to contact the ACCCE. If you know abuse is happening right now, or a child is at risk, call police immediately on 000.
If you, or someone you know, is impacted by child sexual abuse and online exploitation, support services are available.
Advice and support for parents and carers about how they can help protect children online can be found at the ThinkUKnow website, an AFP-led education program designed to prevent online child sexual exploitation.
