The NBI headquarters in Manila (File photo from the Philippine Daily Inquirer)
Agents of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) arrested two suspected human traffickers and rescued 17 minors being offered for sexual services in Caloocan City on Thursday.
This after members of the NBI Anti-Human Trafficking Division (AHTRAD) conducted a raid of a house where the 17 minors were being held by suspects Glady Dulot and Cherry Ann Lascano.
NBI Director Dante Gierran said the bureau received information that a group of traffickers had been offering young girls for sexual services to local and foreign male clients.
“The NBI-AHTRAD operatives arranged a meet up with the pimps to verify the information which was later confirmed. The pimps were asking for P6,000 for every girl that would be chosen while those who are not chosen would be given a consolation of P1,000,” the NBI said in a statement.
During the operation, suspects Dulot and Lascano brought the 17 young girls to a private resort in Caloocan City where the NBI-Department of Social Work and Development (DSWD) team was waiting.
The suspects were immediately arrested after receiving the payment for the girls while the victims were taken in custody by the DSWD. According to the NBI, all 17 victims are minors. The eldest is 17 years old and the youngest is 13.
The traffickers will be presented for inquest proceedings before the Department of Justice for violating Republic Act No. 9208 or the Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act, as amended, and Republic Act No. 7610 or the Anti-Child Abuse Law, NBI said. JPV