NBI rescues 2 girls, nabs 2 human traffickers in QC

By: Katrina Hallare, INQINQUIRER.net, 5 May 2020

MANILA, Philippines — Agents of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) have arrested two people allegedly involved in human trafficking in an entrapment operation in Fairview, Quezon City.

In a statement on Thursday, the NBI said that aside from arresting the suspect, identified as Maricole Ramos and Alexander Peralta, the NBI also rescued two victims, girls aged 17 and 18, during the operation that happened on Tuesday.

Also present during the operation were intelligence agents from the DOJ Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking in Persons (DOJ-IACAT). The NBI also sought the assistance of the Social Services Development Department in Quezon City (SSDD-QC), and coordination of the Philippine National Police.

According to NBI Officer-In-Charge Eric Distor, the NBI NBI-Anti Human Trafficking Division received word of their illegal operations, where Ramos had a Facebook account who allegedly offered girls, aged 14 to 21, for sexual services for a fee of P3,000.

The NBI OIC said that the suspect also used hotel booking platforms where the trafficking may take place.

An agent then posed as a customer during the entrapment operations and met with Ramos together with the victims.

The suspect, victims and NBI agent walked to the latter’s vehicle. Ramos then told them to proceed to an apartelle, saying that she knows its owner.

As soon as arriving at the apartelle, the NBI agent arrested Ramos. Peralta, who was driving another vehicle and tailed them up to the apartelle, was also nabbed.

Both suspects have been presented to the Office of the City Prosecutor of Quezon City via online for violation of Republic Act 9208, or the “Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act of 2003” and Republi Act 11469 or the “Bayanihan to Heal as One Act” since both subjects do not have quarantine passes.