The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) arrested seven individuals and rescued 12 trafficked victims, including several minors and an infant, during a series of entrapment and rescue operations on May 7 in Parañaque City for violation of Republic Act No. 10364, otherwise known as the Expanded Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act of 2012.
The operation, conducted by the NBI Homicide Division, stemmed from intelligence information provided by a non-governmental organization (NGO) regarding the activities of a suspected human trafficking group engaged in the sexual exploitation of minors under the guise of spa and wellness services.
The group allegedly offered victims to clients as “therapists” for so-called “nuru massage” and “lingam massage,” which, upon investigation, were found to involve sexual services in exchange for money.
Acting on the report, NBI-Homicide Division agents conducted extensive surveillance and monitoring and coordinated online with the subjects through social media platforms.
“This led operatives to an establishment identified as ‘Rainbow Spa,’ where undercover agents confirmed that illegal activities were being conducted there,” the NBI said in a news release Sunday.
During the operation, undercover agents were offered the services of two female therapists and were subsequently brought to a nearby apartelle.
After the marked money was handed over as payment, the operatives arrested the suspects, including two male individuals responsible for transporting and delivering the minor victims to clients.
Running after a trafficking syndicate
The NBI said further investigation revealed that several victims and suspects were staying together in a residence located in Fortunata Village, Parañaque City.
The operation further uncovered that two minor victims were still being transported to service clients in separate locations.
“Follow-up investigation identified the alleged operators of the trafficking syndicate, a couple residing in Fourth Estate, Brgy. San Antonio, Parañaque City. A subsequent operation led to their successful arrest,” the NBI said.
“Simultaneously, another team of NBI-Homicide Division agents conducted a rescue operation at a motel in Pasay City, where a minor victim was rescued, and her male client was arrested. Additionally, another female victim was recovered during an inventory and verification operation conducted at the Fortunata Village residence,” it added.
The arrested subjects have already been inquested before the appropriate prosecutorial office for violations of RA 10364 and other applicable laws.
NBI Director Melvin Matibag commended the operatives of the NBI-Homicide Division for the successful conduct of the operations and reaffirmed the Bureau’s unwavering commitment against human trafficking and the sexual exploitation of children.
“Human trafficking is a cruel assault on human dignity, especially when the victims are minors who are robbed of their innocence and future. The NBI will continue to intensify its operations against trafficking syndicates and ensure that those responsible are brought before the law,” Matibag said.
The NBI urged the public to remain vigilant and immediately report any information relating to human trafficking, online exploitation, and other crimes involving minors to proper authorities.(PNA)
