MANUEL

Manuel is a thirteen-year-old male with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) who was rescued 26 days ago from Nasugbu, Batangas as a result of online sexual exploitation, facilitated by his stepmother, Renita Alcuestro and uncle Rogero Alcuestro. The PNP WCPC-AHTIPD conducted the entrapment and rescue operation, using an undercover social media account, “Brad Callman”. During the entrapment, Renita offered to livestream the abuse of Manuel. She also offered for Rogero Alcuestro who was described as ‘The Mask’ to abuse Manuel using a range of weapons including cords, whips and ‘toys’ which were described in the chatlog. After police had confirmed the intent to harm, Manuel was taken from the house and his mother and uncle were arrested. Manuel is currently in a DSWD shelter and has been there since the rescue 1 month ago.

Upon search of the house where Manuel was residing, police identified several mobile phones and one laptop computer with sexual abuse material on them. Evidence from materials found on the devices indicated that Manuel has been subjected to online sexual exploitation for at least 6 years. Hundreds of explicit photos’ dated from 6 years ago, show Manuel aged 7, posing and touching himself in a small room. An encrypted hard drive contained numerous filmed videos of Manuel when he was 10 years old, performing sexual acts by himself and with other children who could not be identified. More recent chatlogs with foreign perpetrators identified that Manuel has been subjected to extreme forms of sexual abuse, including forms of violence and adult-led abuse. One excerpt from a recovered chatlog included specific instructions from the perpetrator to “make him scream, show him that you are in control”. Evidence secured on the hard drive included videos in which Manuel was repeatedly whipped with cords by his uncle, Rogero, who always wore a smiling clown mask while he sexually assaulted him.

Renita Alcuestro (age 43) is not Manuel’s biological mother. She married Manuel’s father, Alfonzo Renata 7 years ago when Manuel was 6 years old. Before their marriage, Alfonzo was the primary carer for Manuel while his mother (Ariane Renata) worked in China for a technology company as an overseas foreign worker. Manuel’s biological mother, Ariane, was only around for the first 3 years of Manual’s life before leaving for China where she has lived ever since. However eight years ago, when Manuel was 5 years old, Ariane and Alfonzo decided to separate as Alfonzo had started an intimate relationship with Renita Alcuestro (stepmother) who became Manuels primary carer.

Since their marriage, Alfonzo has been working as a security guard in Taguig City which has kept him away from the family home in Nasugbu most of the time. Alfonzo earns approximately 17 000 PHP per month whilst Renita earns 2000 PHP operating a small Sari-Sari store from their home in Nusugbu. Alfonzo and Renita maintain some communication throughout the week, however this is often limited to exchanging brief greetings. Alfonzo travels home approximately 3-4 times a month however spends majority of his time in Taguig where he works. Alfonzo claimed that on the occasions which he is home, he often spends time with His son and had noticed changes in his mood and functioning however believed this to be part of Manuel’s Autism.

Alfonzo claimed that he was never aware of the abuse which was occurring in their home while he was away on duty as a security guard. As the abuse occurred during the week while he was at work, Renita was able to conceal the abuse from Alfonzo. Alfonzo also claimed not to be aware of Rogero’s involvement and stated that he believed Rogero to be assisting Renita to build her Sari-Sari business by doing advertising for Renita.

Upon arrival at the DSWD Shelter 1 month ago, Manuel did not appear to be in good health. When the shelter nurse checked his BMI, he was underweight for his age. Renita reported that she has regularly taken Manuel to the Barangay Health Center due to Manuel’s frequent vomiting and nausea. Renita indicated she has taken Manuel to the hospital on several occasions due to Manuel refusing to eat and repeatedly vomiting to the point of fainting. The nearest hospital is 30 minutes away from their village.

Alfonzo and Renita own the house which they occupy. The house is made of galvanized iron and concrete walls with 3 rooms and 1 toilet. The house is somewhat clutterred however, in the phone interview with Alfonzo, he claimed the house did not have any major hazards or safety concerns. The family buy gallons of drinking water in a nearby water refilling station, and they have their own water connection from the Nasugbu City Water District.

When Manuel was born, he was diagnosed with moderate autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and has lived with this disability all his life. Alfonzo managed well with this and was able to respond to Manuel’s unique needs with help from a friend in the community who also had a son with ASD. As a result of his experience of ASD, Manuel has always struggled to communicate and understand common social cues. As a young boy, Manuel generally kept to himself, preferring to engage in pretend play than to play with other children. Manuel has a strong fascination with trains and planes. Alfonzo was able to buy some train toys for Manuel when he was younger and he regularly plays with these, even as an older child. Manuel has not attended school since he was 7. When Renita first took on care of Manuel, she was encouraged by Alfonzo to find a local barangay school. Since Manuel is a filipino and has a birth certificate, this was not difficult. The school was not equipped or trained to deal with Manuel’s ASD and requested he be sent to a specialized school. Alfonzo enrolled Manuel in a school for children with intellectual disability. Manuel appeared to enjoy this school and was supported to be able to start reading and writing. However, due to financial struggles during COVID-19, Alfonzo and Renita decided to pull Manuel out of the school after 6 months.

During the time that Manuel has been in the shelter, he has exhibited extreme behaviors including violence towards other children, sexualized touching, and aggressive behaviors. When other children have tried to play with Manuel, he has struggled to engage safely and frequently ends up pushing, hitting or punching other children. As a result of these behaviors, Manuel has been kept from playing with other children. The shelter staff have also, on occasions, had to physically restrain Manuel due to the risk which he poses for other children. When this has occurred, Manuel has become more escalated and has hit and punched shelter staff. The shelter staff are unsure how to appropriately deal with this behavior while also maintaining the safety of other children in the shelter.

Manuel also regularly engages in sexualized behaviors including frequent masturbation in public and private spaces. Shelter staff have communicated that this is not okay, however there has been little change in Manuel’s behaviors. On a few occasions, Manuel has engaged in inappropriate touching and sexualized behavior with other children, especially towards other boys. Shelter staff have immediately stopped the behavior and separated Manuel from the others when he is found to be doing this. They have told Manuel that this behavior is inappropriate and not safe for other children.

Following the rescue 1 month ago, Manuel was temporarily placed in a DSWD shelter until a more suitable placement could be identified for him. During this time Manuel has only confided in 1 of the workers who has spent a lot of time playing train games with Manuel. When Manuel’s DSWD social worker, Jaimee, contacted Alfonzo and informed him of the abuse and of Manuel’s current placement in the shelter. Alfonzo expressed significant remorse. Alfonzo expressed a desire to look after Manuel and provide care for him and indicated that he would be filing for legal separation from Renita.

Alfonzo’s financial situation is challenging and with Renita and Rogero in jail, it would be difficult for Alfonzo to work and care for Manuel. Alfonzo has indicated that he might be able to live with his mother, Maria-Jona in Antipolo so that she is able to care for Manuel. Maria-Jona is currently 68 and would require significant support to be able to care for Manuel in the home. Maria-Jona knows very little about online sexual exploitation or autism spectrum disorder and would need to receive psychoeducation to provide adequate care. Manuel’s violent behaviors would pose a significant risk to Maria-Jona, given her old age and small stature.

Alternatively, the local foster care agency has identified that there are willing and trained foster parents in a city close by Nasugbu, who may be a possibility for Manuel. The foster parents have undergone a training in Foster Care for OSEC survivors (FoCOS training) and have also raised a child with mild ASD. Due to his age and status as an only child he meets the eligibility requirements of the agency. The foster agency believes the foster parents would be willing to maintain an open relationship with Alfonzo.