NBI entraps trafficking suspect

CEBU, Philippines -  The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI)-7 yesterday filed a complaint for human trafficking against a 32-year-old man for allegedly pimping girls.

NBI supervising agent Rey Villordon brought the respondent before Prosecutor Mario Ley Gidayawan of the Cebu City Prosecutor’s Office for the inquest proceedings.

Gidayawan then gave the respondent 10 days to file his counter-affidavit after the latter chose to undergo preliminary investigation to answer the allegations.

The law bars media from naming suspects in human trafficking cases.

The respondent, a resident of Inayawan, Cebu City was arrested on December 5, 2012 at 8:30 in the evening through an entrapment operation.

Villordon said prior to the arrest they received an information of the alleged activities of the respondent. He said they verified the report and conducted surveillance for one week.

On the date of the operation, he said they arrived at 8:00 p.m. in the meeting place - a fastfood chain in Mambaling, Cebu City.

For the entrapment, they used a marked P1,000 bill. After the transaction was consummated, they arrested the respondent and rescued two minors, one suspected minor and another of legal age.

The victims are housed in the Office of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).

The complaint filed was for violation of Republic Act 9208 or Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act in relation to RA 7610 or the law protecting children from abuse.

The sections cited were those prohibiting the recruitment and transport of girls for the purpose of prostitution and sexual exploitation, and another on hiring a person to engage in prostitution.

Under the law, any person found guilty  will be imprisoned for 20 years to life and will be made to pay a fine of not less than P1 million but not more than P5 million.

Meanwhile, the respondent told the media that his only participation was to accompany the girls to Mambaling after he received a call from the NBI.

The girls will be paid P2,500 each.

The respondent added that he has no commission with the transaction.  (FREEMAN)