NBI rescues 2 minor girls, relative arrested for human trafficking

MANILA, Philippines — Two minor girls who were victims of human trafficking were rescued while the suspect was apprehended during an entrapment operation in Taguig City, the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) said.

In a statement issued on Wednesday, NBI Director Dante Gierran said the suspect, a relative of the two female minors, was arrested by the NBI’s Anti Human Trafficking Division (AHTRAD) on December 11 for sexual exploitation of the victims and possession of child pornographic videos and images.

The two victims, ages 8 and 11, were offered by the suspect to have intercourse with customers.

According to the NBI, the arrest of the suspect stems from an earlier information received by the AHTRAD of illegal activities of the suspect in connection with the case.

The case was referred to the Philippine National Police by the Dutch Police of Netherlands for human trafficking in 2016, the NBI said.

After around three months of case build up in the third quarter of 2018 and coordination with local authorities, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), and other concerned agencies, the operation which led to arrest the suspect and rescue the victims was conducted.

The two victims were sent to the DSWD for after care procedures.

Meanwhile, charges for violation of Republic Act 9208 Republic Act (RA) 9208 or the Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act of 2003 as amended and RA 9775 or the Child Pornography Law were filed against the suspect before the Department of Justice (DOJ), the NBI said.  /muf