Two Chinese gang men have been arrested in Makati City on charges of sex trafficking Vietnamese women, police said on Thursday.
The National Capital Region Police Office busted the racket following confidential information regarding a sex trade involving foreign nationals in Barangay San Antonio.
The suspects, identified as Kuang Meiting and Li Xuemei, were arrested in an entrapment operation by men from the NCRPO-Regional Special Operations Unit and Women, and Children Protection Division-Regional Investigation and Detective Management Division in coordination with personnel from the Makati City Police Station.
The authorities swooped down on room numbers 519, 803, 924, and 1823 of Avida Asten Tower 2 located along Malugay Street around 10 p.m. Wednesday and rescued six Vietnamese women.
The rescued victims were identified as Nguyen Thi Thuy Trang, Nguyen Thi Truc Ly, Vo Thi Ngoc Tu, Nguyen Thi Diem Phuong, Nguyen Thi Trang and Nguyen Thi Tham.
“This police operation stemmed from the information of a confidential informant regarding the rampant proliferation of prostitution activities involving foreign nationals in the said address. Information gathered through surveillance, monitoring and lateral coordination led to positive validation,” said NCRPO director Guillermo Eleazar.
Investigation showed the gang’s operation involved Internet application wherein clients were being lured to avail themselves of sexual services.
“Based on their promotion, there are Vietnamese, Chinese and Malaysian ladies being trafficked,” said Eleazar, adding the Asian ladies were using tourist visas.
Further investigation also revealed that the gang was using a room in the condominium called “show-up room” where clients could choose among the Asian ladies.
Clients also have an option to use other three available rooms in the condominium or bring the ladies somewhere else, police said.
The arrested Chinese nationals and the confiscated pieces of evidence were brought to NCRPO-RSOU office for documentation and proper disposition.
The suspects will be charged with violation of Republic Act 9208 or the Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act of 2003, as amended by RA 10364, also known as the Expanded Anti-Trafficking Act of 2012 before the Makati City prosecutors office.
“The rescued victims will be turned over to the social workers of Makati Police Station or local government unit for appropriate disposition. Our personnel will be coordinating with Vietnamese Embassy to facilitate their return to Vietnam, according to the existing laws in the country,” said Eleazar.
