By Benjamin Cuaresma
MANILA — A former beauty queen and five Russian women were rescued in a National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) operation that uncovered an alleged human trafficking scheme at a luxury hotel in Makati City.
The NBI’s International Operations Division (IOD) mounted the entrapment operation early Thursday after receiving intelligence that women, including pageant titleholders, artists and models, were allegedly being offered to clients for commercial sexual exploitation.
Investigators said the alleged operation involved rates for hourly or overnight arrangements, as well as travel arrangements within and outside the country for purported companionship services.
An NBI agent acting as a poseur-client initiated contact with the suspect and arranged a booking involving the women.
The NBI said the suspect agreed to make the women available for P25,000 each, plus commission, after offering a discounted rate.
The suspect was taken into custody after he accepted the marked money during the operation.
The arrested man was identified as a talent manager and owner of a well-known modeling agency.
Following the rescue, the six women were turned over to the Makati City Social Welfare and Development Office, where they were placed under protective care for appropriate intervention and aftercare.
The suspect was subsequently subjected to inquest proceedings and is facing criminal charges for alleged violations of the Expanded Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act of 2012.
The NBI operation highlights the agency’s continuing campaign against trafficking networks allegedly exploiting women through the modeling, entertainment and pageant sectors.
ia/xf
