Manila, Feb. 22 -- The Philippine National Police (PNP) vowed to build strong charges after its Women and Children Protection Center (WCPC) rescued 18 minors in three separate operations on Feb. 18 and 19.

The PNP's intensified campaign against online child sexual abuse and trafficking in persons also resulted in the arrest of a female Filipino suspect in Abuyog, Leyte on Feb. 19, linked to a case referral involving the previous arrest of a 50-year-old Norwegian national for possession of child sexual abuse materials.

"Our priority is always the safety and recovery of the victims. We ensure that rescued children are immediately placed under proper care," PNP chief Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. said Nartatez said in a news release over...