12 women, including 10 minors, rescued from trafficking ring in Pililia

Nicole-Anne C. Lagrimas/KBK, GMA News, May 30, 2018

The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) has rescued 12 women, 10 of whom are minors, and arrested three alleged human traffickers in a resort in Pililia, Rizal.

A statement from the bureau said Tania Versoza Ramos, Ediven John Joven, and Manolo Vicente Boca were arrested by NBI Rizal operatives in an entrapment and rescue operation on Monday.

According to the statement, their arrest stemmed from a tip by Christian nonprofit Destiny Rescue Philippines regarding a pimp identified as “Tanya,” who allegedly offered underaged prostitutes to clients “for sexual pleasures” in hotels and resorts in the Tanay and Pililia area.

Surveillance operations confirmed the existence of human trafficking activities in the area, the statement said.

The rescue and entrapment, aimed towards catching the alleged pimp in the act of wrongdoing, were conducted by NBI operatives, Social Welfare department representatives, and barangay officials, it added.

They face charges for violations of the Expanded Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act of 2012 and if the Special Protection Against Child Abuse, Exploitation and Discrimination Act before the provincial prosecutor’s office in Taytay, Rizal. —