Picture for illustrative purposes only. ARCHIVE

A Filipino man wanted for child trafficking has been apprehended in Dubai and is set to be extradited to the Philippines on Thursday (September 12), according to Philippine Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Benjamin “Benhur” Abalos Jr. in a statement on Wednesday (September 11). Abalos first disclosed the man’s arrest on Sunday, (September 8), during a town hall meeting with Filipino expatriates in Dubai. The arrest was made with the assistance of UAE and Singaporean authorities and marks a significant victory in the fight against human trafficking, Abalos said. The suspect, who had been wanted by Interpol, is accused of exploiting 120 children, some as young as 10 years old, by targeting them through a Facebook page, Abalos said. According to DILG, the suspect, TJM (full name withheld), is the leader of an organized crime group involved in selling lewd photos and videos of children. The notorious trafficker, who has been described as a "big-time" operator, will be returned to the Philippines to face legal proceedings. “This victory is a big step in the government’s war against human trafficking and its push to protect our children from abuse,” Abalos said in Filipino. He vowed that perpetrators of such heinous crimes would face justice, no matter where they are hiding. He also extended a stern warning to other offenders, emphasizing that they cannot evade the law. Abalos is in the UAE on an official visit. On Tuesday, he met with UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan in Abu Dhabi. The meeting included discussions on strengthening bilateral relations between the Philippines and the UAE, with both leaders expressing hopes for continued progress and cooperation. ICA/Expat Media ALSO READ: Abalos' trip to Dubai cut short over Quiboloy arrest
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