The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) has rescued 19 adults and seven minors, and arrested three individuals in a suspected sex trafficking operation in La Union.
According to the NBI, agents arrested on October 9, Robert Cu, alias ‘Warren Cruz,’ Vanessa Bernaldo, alias ‘Vhanz,’ and one alias ‘Jepot’ – whose name remains undisclosed as he is a minor – for offering individuals, including underage minors, for prostitution.
After the operation, 18 female adults, one male adult, four female minors, and three male minors were rescued.
The arrests were made following information from an anti-child trafficking non-governmental organization that reported trafficking activities online, the NBI reported.
‘Cu, through social media, was offering minor females and males for sexual services in exchange for a fee,’ the NBI said.
The victims were trafficked for P3,000 to P4,000 each, the NBI added.
NBI agents conducted surveillance online where they contacted Cu posing as clients, and the suspect introduced the agents to two women who will ‘provide sexual services.’
The day after, the NBI agents met with Cu, who introduced them to Bernaldo, to offer male minors to the poseur clients, and set a meet-up for the ‘delivery’ of the victims.
In Bauang, La Union on October 9, Cu brought with him the minor female victims and a male adult victim, but before the agents secured the trafficked persons, Cu attempted to flee, but was later apprehended in a San Fernando, La Union.
In a separate but simultaneous operation, Bernaldo failed to escape NBI agents and admitted to transacting with ‘Jepot,’ who was allegedly in charge of recruiting male minor victims in Baseco, Tondo Manila.
Shortly after the arrest of Bernaldo, a ‘vehicle boarded by four male minor victims arrived,’ and the driver told the authorities that he was hired by the suspects.
The driver was then instructed by the authorities to order another hired driver who was with ‘Jepot’ at the time to take the minor suspect to the NBI-Ilocos Regional Office.
Upon arrival at the NBI office, ‘Jepot’ was apprehended and identified by the rescued victims before he was turned over to the City Social Welfare and Development.
Meanwhile, Cu and Bernaldo will face charges for violating the Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act of 2003, and the Child Abuse Law in relation to Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012. /jpv