AGENTS of the National Bureau of Investigation in Central Visayas (NBI-7) arrested on Wednesday a 32-year-old man who allegedly forced three girls and woman into prostitution in barangay Mambaling, Cebu City.
Charges of violation of Republic Act 9208 or the Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act of 2003 in relation to Republic Act 7610 or the Special Protection of Children Against Abuse, Exploitation and Discrimination Act were filed against the man before the Cebu City Prosecutors’ Office yesterday.
Since three of the victims were believed to be minors, the offense falls under qualified trafficking, a non-bailable offense.
The special law’s confidentiality provisions prohibit the identification of both the victims and the accused in the media to protect the dignity of the victims.
When presented before the prosecutor, the respondent chose to undergo preliminary investigation which would give him a chance to submit his counter-affidavit and refute the allegations.
NBI Agent Rey Villordon said the man was accused of pimping women to customers.
Last Wednesday evening, an NBI personnel was asked to deal with the respondent who allegedly offered the victims for sexual services.
When the transaction was done, the NBI agents came and arrested him.
When asked to comment, the man said he just facilitated the transaction between the customer and the girls.
The respondent is presently under the custody of the NBI-7.
Human trafficking covers the “recruitment, transportation, transfer or harboring, or receipt of persons with or without the victim’s consent or knowledge” by threats or use of force, or other forms of coercion, abduction, deception.
The law said such victims “are exploited by way of prostitution, forced labor or services, slavery, servitude or the removal or sale of organs.”