NBI rescues 11 women, nab 5 human trafficking suspects

National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) spokesman Ferdinand Lavin on Friday, Dec. 11, 2020, speaks with the four suspects allegedly involved in human trafficking operations. Image: Courtesy of the NBI

MANILA, Philippines — Agents of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) have arrested five suspects allegedly involved in human trafficking during two separate entrapment operations in Quezon City.

In a statement on Friday, NBI OIC Eric Distor said that the first operation, launched Wednesday, led to the arrest of two suspects, identified as Robert Que Garcia and a minor.

Distor said that the two suspects were spa operators allegedly offering sexual services of minor girls to customers. However, the NBI said the spa posted a “closed” sign at its entrance to hide its operations. It only accepted reservations through online booking.

“Surveillance operation validated the said human trafficking activity,” the NBI said, which led to the suspects’ arrest.

Meanwhile, three other suspects, identified as Liecel Capicio, Miguel Diwata and Jay Baldomar, were also arrested in a simultaneous entrapment operation at a massage spa in Tomas Morato.

The NBI said that the massage spa was actually a sexual exploitation hub where “[w]omen were being sexually exploited while being maintained and locked inside the said establishment.”

In that operation, 11 women whose ages range from 20 to 30 years old were rescued, the NBI added.

“Arrested subjects were presented for inquest proceedings before the Quezon City Prosecutor’s Office for violation of Republic Act 9208 as amended by Republic Act 10364 (Expanded Trafficking in Persons Act),” the NBI said. [ac]