By John Genesis A. Damgo
The National Bureau of Investigation on Tuesday bared the arrest of three individuals in Bulacan, for kidney trafficking.
Arrested were Angela Atayde, Marichu Lomibao, And Dannel Sicat.
NBI Director Judge Jaime Santiago said that a complaint was received by the NBI-NCR, regarding certain individuals who are engaged in kidney organ trafficking. It was disclosed that suspects recruited trafficked victims and facilitate the transfer of their kidney organ to their clients for a fee.
Santiago added the the victims are made to go through a process where they will be introduced to the recipient of their kidney, and be subjected to various medical procedures.
Exploiting the economic vulnerability of the victims, Santiago added that suspects offer P200,000in exchange for the transfer of their kidney to the paying client. After they have given the downpayment to the victims, the latter would be transferred to a house located in Brgy. Tungkong Mangga, SJDM, Bulacan Province.
Victims will be held at the said house while undergoing various processes until their kidneys were eventually transferred.
Acting on the above-said information and under strict orders of Director Santiago, NCR operatives, together with the Social Workers from SJDM City Social Welfare and Development Office, hatched a rescue operation on July 11, 2024, which resulted in the rescue of nine victims and arrest of the suspects.
Victims identified the three as the group that processes their kidney transfer. According to the victims, Atayde, Lomibao,and Sicat are the ones who maintain and harbor them for the purpose of their kidney organ being transferred for a fee.
However, a fourth suspect identified as Allan Ligaya, said to be the leader of the group and head nurse at National Kidney and Transplant Institute (NKTI), remains at large.
The rescued victims were turned over to the custody of the Social Workers of the City Social Welfare and Development Office of SJDM, Bulacan Province.
Arrested Subjects were presented for inquest proceedings for violation of Section 4 (h) of RA No. 11862 (Expanded Anti Human Trafficking Act).
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