5 children in the Philippines rescued as B.C. man faces child-sex charges, police say

A New Westminster man has been charged with multiple child sexual exploitation offenses after an international investigation by Canadian and Philippine authorities. In June 2023, the Integrated Child Exploitation Unit of the RCMP received a tip about child sexual abuse material uploaded from an IP address in the city. This led them to a home in New Westminster, where they executed a search warrant and identified Gerard Saunders as the suspect.

Multiple electronic devices were seized for forensic examination, revealing potential involvement in child sexual exploitation involving victims in the Philippines. Five child victims were identified and rescued by Philippine authorities, who also arrested the children's mother in connection with similar offenses. Gerard Saunders was arrested in New Westminster and charged accordingly.

Sgt. Andrew Leaver of the New Westminster Police Department emphasized the severity of the crimes, stating, "This isn't a victimless crime, and these are real children behind those screens. This investigation highlights the far-reaching harm these offenses can cause to children, their families, caregivers, and communities." Saunders has been released on an undertaking with strict conditions and is scheduled to appear in court at a later date.