MANILA, Philippines — Two Chinese nationals were arrested for reportedly operating a prostitution den catering to their compatriots in Makati City, the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) said Tuesday.
In a statement, NBI Director Dante Gierran identified the suspects as Zhang Lian Wei and Li Wu Tao. They were arrested during an entrapment operation in a hotel along Makati Avenue on Jan. 15 (Wednesday).
The raid was launched after a tip-off that a group of Chinese nationals is operating a prostitution den in Makati City which is “exclusive for Chinese men.”
Agents of the NBI’s Anti-Organized and Transnational Crime Division (AOTCD) sent an undercover law enforcer to pose as a customer at the said hotel.
The undercover agent went to the 11th floor of the establishment where he picked one Chinese woman and paid P9,000 to Li, manager of the business.
After the undercover lawman coordinated with hotel personnel, the NBI-AOTCD and Makati Social Worker Department representatives rushed to the area and rescued 22 Chinese women at the prostitution den.
Authorities confiscated condoms, lubricant creams, and sexual service menu cards during the operation.
Li and Zhang were arrested while charges of Expanded Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act of 2012 were filed before the Office of the Prosecutor General at the Department of Justice.
The NBI is also coordinating with the Bureau of Immigration for the turnover of rescued Chinese victims “for possible charges and deportation.”