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Australian Peter Gerard Scully had foreign accomplices in child porn ring, Philippines police say

Authorities in the Philippines say an Australian man arrested and charged for sexually abusing young Filipino girls has been working with foreign accomplices in his child pornography operation.

The National Bureau of Investigation has launched a manhunt for four foreigners believed to have been working with Australian Peter Gerard Scully since 2011.

Anti-human trafficking agent Eric Nuqui said videos showing the sexual abuse of minors, including a one-year-old child, were recovered from Scully.

"There is some sort of systematic torture of children until death," Mr Nuqui told reporters.

After Scully's arrest last week, authorities also recovered the remains of a young girl in his former rented home.

Philippines media reports say the skeleton of a girl aged 11 or 12 was found in the septic tank of an apartment in Surigao City.

The 51-year-old Australian was arrested in the southern city of Malaybalay on February 20 after a three-week stake-out.

Angelito Magno, head of that region's National Bureau of Investigation, said Scully's arrest was ordered last November on charges of rape and human trafficking after two teenage girls were found naked and chained in the bedroom of an apartment he rented.

"Our investigation led us to at least seven other girls that he had abused. His racket has been active for around three years," Mr Magno said.

"He preyed on girls in depressed areas and lured them with the promise of food and clothes."

The National Bureau of Investigation said Scully was charged with child trafficking and child abuse. Bail is not available for both charges.

The Bureau said it expected Scully to be charged with murder in relation to the remains of the girl found at his former residence as well as cyber crime.

Local media reports say Scully is also under investigation in the Netherlands over online pornography allegations.

They say Dutch, Australian and Interpol police had helped track him down.

The Australian Federal Police did not respond to questions from the ABC about whether Scully was known to them, saying questions should be addressed to Philippines authorities.

Scully has spoken to the media, saying he is undergoing deep reflection on what he has done.

"I am in the middle of preparing a very in depth, not just comment, but almost a personal study on this whole history here," he said.

"That's how remorseful I am. I have done nothing bad looking to myself and I'll write down everything down day by day what has influenced this."