27 girls rescued from anti-human trafficking operation in Manila

At least 27 underaged girls were rescued from a suspected human trafficking ring in Manila on Wednesday evening, according to a report on "Saksi."

The police raided a hotel in Manila, which allegedly offers young girls to their male patrons for a "fee" of P40,000 each.

The youngest among the minors rescued was only 12 years old.

At least four pimps were arrested during the operation.

An additional report by Jamie Santos on Unang Balita on Thursday said the police received information about the violation from a foreign nongovernment organization.

Police captured a trafficker in an undercover transaction, as recorded in a cell phone video exclusively taken by GMA News.

They identified the suspect as Rhodora Alonzo.

Alonzo did not deny the allegations thrown at her, admitting she has been doing it for a living.

“Nambubugaw ng bata [dahil] sa hirap ng buhay. Hindi namin sila pinipilit. Alam nila,” Alonzo said.

The Women and Children Protection Center (WCPC) in Camp Crame as well as Manila Police District’s (MPD) Women and Children Protection Desk (WCPD) found the victims in two separate rescue and entrapment operations.

Twenty-four of the victims were reported as minors, ranging from age 12 to 17. The other three were aged 18 to 19.

Police Senior Superintendent Villamor Tuliao, Chief of the WCPC, explained how the minors were swayed by the pimps.

“They are enticed by this unscrupulous individual na sinasabing bibigyan ng malaking pera ‘tong mga batang ito,” Tuliao said.

Police also captured three other traffickers in another operation that day. One of the suspects was named Jobel Galang while the other two were not identified.

Galang has denied the accusations.

“Hindi po. Ngayon lang po ‘to, na-setup lang po kami. Ano po’ng ginagawa niyo kanina? Sabi meet up lang tapos kain lang. Kasama ko pa nga po 'yung anak ko. ‘Di ko po alam na ganito,” said Galang.

The joint operations were conducted along Road 10 where some minors were rescued.

The group was retrieved in a KTV restaurant on Juan Luna Street the same night.

The victims of prostitution are now in the custody of the City Welfare and Development in Manila.

Tuliao also said the accused will be subjected to law.

“‘Yung apat na suspects, we’ll be filing cases against them, siyempre. ‘Yung Anti- Trafficking in Persons Violation Act. Non bailable ‘yun,” Tuliao said.

“It’s not an excuse to use these children in these kind of activities,” the officer added. —Akari Nakano/BAP/KG, GMA News