NBI rescued 29 individuals in an entrapment operation in Bulacan. Five of the rescued were minors. Two suspects were arrested and are facing charges for qualified trafficking. Photo courtesy of National Bureau of Investigation/Facebook.
The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) said Thursday it arrested two individuals and rescued 29 victims, including five minors, in Bulacan during an operation against human trafficking.
The entrapment operation, conducted by the NBI Cybercrime Division on January 28, followed a complaint from a non-governmental organization alleging violations of the Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act of 2003 (RA 9208).
Authorities said the suspects acted as facilitators and pimps, using social media and messaging platforms, including Facebook Messenger, Viber, and Telegram, to advertise the victims and negotiate fees.
Investigators said the suspects collected commissions from payments ranging from ₱3,500 to ₱5,000 and distributed sexually explicit images of the victims to attract clients.
The NBI said it conducted cyber surveillance starting January 20 to gather evidence and plan the entrapment operation in San Jose Del Monte.
During the operation, authorities rescued the 29 victims and placed them under protective custody. The two suspects were presented for inquest proceedings before the San Juan Del Monte Prosecutor’s Office and face charges for qualified trafficking in persons under RA 9208, as amended by RA 10364 and RA 11862.
NBI Director Angelito DLP. Magno said the bureau is committed to protecting children and vulnerable individuals and urged the public to report suspected human trafficking to authorities.