MANILA, Philippines — A tip from one of the victims’ clients led to the rescue of 11 Chinese women allegedly forced into prostitution inside one of the branches of a budget hotel chain in Parañaque City on Sunday.
Members of the Parañaque police and Southern Police District raided the establishment near the corner of Quirino Avenue and Naia Road around 1:45 a.m. and found the women in different rooms on the fifth to eighth floors.
They were turned over to the Women’s and Children’s Protection Desk of the Parañaque police station for questioning and counseling.
The alleged manager of the sex den, Cai Ye Gui, also from China, was arrested. He now faces charges for violation of the Expanded Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act of 2012.
According to Police Maj. Wilfredo Sangel, chief of the Parañaque police intelligence section, they received a tip from a Chinese national, who was one of the customers of the rescued victims.
Plea for help
“The Chinese woman asked him to help them, because they were being used as sex slaves,” Sangel told the Inquirer.
The victims claimed they were promised jobs in the country, but ended up being forced into prostitution.
Similar to other sex dens raided by authorities, the business catered exclusively to Chinese nationals, especially to men working in Philippine offshore gaming operator (Pogo) companies and their service providers.Bookings could be made through the WeChat app or in person.
Sangel said that in order for police to transact with Cai, their Chinese asset acted as a customer and plainclothes operatives played their part as personal bodyguards.
Their asset paid P5,000 in marked money to Cai. But Sangel said the P5,000 fee was not for the entire night but “only for a round of sex.”
Authorities have noted an increase in the number of crimes involving Chinese nationals through the years, particularly in southern Metro Manila where Pogo companies are thriving.