MANILA — Personnel from the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) Rizal District Office arrested three human traffickers preying on minors for prostitution in the towns of Tanay and Pililia.
The suspects namely Tania Ramos, Ediven R. Joven and Manolo Boca were presented to the media on Wednesday.
They were arrested in an operation on Monday which also resulted in the rescue of 12 female victims, 10 of whom are minors.
The operation stemmed from the tip of Destiny Rescue Philippines, a Christian non-profit group, about the suspects who supposedly maintained minor prostitutes and offered them to possible clients for sex in hotels and resorts in Rizal.
NBI Director Dante A. Gierran ordered surveillance operations and coordinated with representatives of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) and barangay officials which led to the conduct of an entrapment operation at Acedeo Country Resort in Pililia, Rizal.
Dental examinations and subsequent interviews confirmed the ages of the rescued minors. The NBI said the three had been operating the prostitution ring for at least two months.
The three were presented for inquest proceedings before the Provincial Prosecutor of Taytay, Rizal for violation of Republic Act 9208 (Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act of 2003), Republic Act 10364 (Expanded Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act of 2012) and Republic Act 7610 (Special Protection Against Child Abuse, Exploitation and Discrimination Act)