April Cuesta Posted on Apr. 27, 2026 at 3:46 pm
NAVAL, Biliran — Three young girls were rescued by authorities after reportedly being taken to Higatangan Island by a foreign national on Saturday morning, April 18, 2026.
The Naval Municipal Police Station received a report about the incident, leading to a swift response and rescue operation.
The mother of one of the victims filed a complaint upon discovering that her daughter was one of the three minors brought to the island. Law enforcement officials then went to Higatangan Island, where they found and rescued the girls from a hotel along with the foreign national.
According to Police Major Ian Salvador B. Po, Public Information Officer of the Biliran Police Provincial Office, the suspect, known as “Joe,” is a 55-year-old American national and former Navy member residing in Naval, Biliran, and allegedly took the three minors to the island on Saturday morning of April 18 under the guise of a leisure trip. The girls were rescued later that afternoon.
The victims, aged 13 and 14, are neighbors in Naval, Biliran.
Authorities have filed charges under Republic Act 7610, also known as the Special Protection of Children Against Abuse, Exploitation, and Discrimination Act. Additionally, a separate case for statutory rape has been filed after alleged sexual activity involving one of the minors was confirmed.
Officials stated that the suspect exhibited “clear malicious intent” based on the investigation findings.
The three minors are currently under the care of the Municipal Social Welfare and Development Office (MSWDO), while the suspect is in police custody at the Naval MPS.
Photo courtesy: Naval MPS
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