Canadian Man Charged in Child Exploitation Case, 5 Children Rescued in Philippines

A British Columbia man is facing multiple child sexual exploitation charges after an international investigation led to the rescue of five children in the Philippines.

Police identified the accused as Gerard Saunders, who was living in New Westminster when the investigation began in June 2023.

Authorities said the case started after investigators received information about child sexual abuse material allegedly uploaded through a public online platform. Police traced the activity to an IP address connected to a New Westminster residence.

Investigators later searched the home and seized several electronic devices for forensic examination.

Saunders has since been charged with possession of child sexual abuse material, making child sexual abuse and exploitation material, and agreeing or making an arrangement to lure a child, according to police.

As investigators dug deeper, authorities said they uncovered information pointing to alleged child sexual exploitation involving victims in the Philippines.

Working with international partners, police were able to identify and rescue five children.

In another major development, Philippine authorities arrested the children’s mother in connection with alleged child sexual exploitation offences.

New Westminster police said the case shows the devastating real-world impact of online child exploitation.

“These are real children behind those screens,” police said, stressing that such crimes can cause lasting harm to victims, families and entire communities.

The allegations against Saunders have not been proven in court.