MANILA, July 28 — The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) on Friday said operatives of the NBI-Anti-Human Trafficking Division (NBI-AHTRAD) have arrested two suspected human traffickers and rescued 17 minors who were allegedly offered for sexual services in Caloocan City.
NBI Director Dante A. Gierran identified the two suspects as Glady Dulot and Cherry Ann Lascano, both working as pimps or bugaw, who were arrested in an entrapment operation on Thursday in Caloocan City.
Gierran said the operation was based on information received by the Bureau that a group composed of several pimps (bugaw) had been offering young girls for sexual services to male clients, local and foreigners.
Under his strict order, NBI-AHTRAD operatives arranged a meet up with the pimps to verify the information which was later confirmed. The pimps asked for PHP 6,000 for each girl that would be chosen while those who were not chosen would be given a consolation of Php1,000.
On Thursday, as agreed, two pimps, Dulot and Lascano, brought 17 young girls to a private resort in Caloocan City where the NBI-DSWD team was waiting. After the payment for the sexual service of one girl was received, the suspects were immediately apprehended while the victims were taken into custody by the DSWD.
Initial assessment showed that all 17 victims are minors, the eldest of which is 17 years old and the youngest is 13.
The two suspects are facing charges for violations of R.A. 9208 (Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act, as amended) and R.A. 7610 (Anti-Child Abuse Law) and will be filed before the Department of Justice.
Meanwhile, follow-up investigation will be conducted to identify and possibly apprehend/charge other members of the group.