Suspect in human trafficking falls

CEBU, Philippines - She went to the police to complain against her live-in partner for beating her up, but it was she who was thrown in jail instead after police found out she had been wanted for two years for human trafficking

The suspect, who was arrested at the Cordova Police Station Monday afternoon, was one of two people who eluded arrest during the raid on a cybersex den in Sitio Mohon, Barangay Cogon, Cordova town, almost two years ago.

The warrant against her and another person for Qualified Trafficking in Persons was signed by Regional Trial Court Judge Toribio Quiwag, Branch 27, 7th Judicial Region, Lapu-Lapu City. No bail was recommended for her temporary liberty.

The suspect reportedly asked for police assistance last Monday after she was allegedly mauled by her live-in partner.

Chief Insp. Alvin Balio, Cordova police chief, said they have been monitoring the suspect since he assumed his post in 2011 but lost track of her when she started dividing her time between Mandaue City and Cebu City.

“Mura’g niabot na sa point nga dili na niya kaya ang pagkulata sa iyang live-in niya nga maoy nakapa-aghat niya nga musumbong sa pulis,” Balio said.

The suspect had bruises all over her body when she went to the police station. Police recognized her immediately but still accommodated her first before they served the warrant.

“Nag-expect siguro ni siya nga wala kaila ang pulis ani niya,” Balio said.

Police then went to her house to arrest her live-in partner but he was no longer around. They will be filing a case for Violence Against Women and their Children against the live-in partner.

It was July in 2011 when the operatives of the Provincial Intelligence Branch rescued minor victims aged nine, 12 and 17 in a raid. The victims were naked and in front of the camera of the computer doing explicit sexual activities.

Operatives arrested three suspects aged 31, 29, and 25, all were married and of the same barangay. The suspect was not around during the operation while the caretaker of the house remains at large.

Evidence recovered included a CPU, modem, Wimax antenna, a monitor, webcam, mouse, keyboard, earphones, an application form of a payment transaction, a school uniform and red brassiere. —(FREEMAN)