20 women rescued from cybersex den in Parañaque; 2 of them test positive in COVID-19 antigen test

Operatives of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) on Tuesday rescued 20 women, two of whom were minors, from an online human trafficking syndicate at an exclusive village in Parañaque.

According to John Consulta’s report on “24 Oras” on Wednesday, the NBI arrested Chinese national Kong Chiang She during the operation.

Meanwhile, the authorities found the women on the second floor of a house inside the village with their own rooms.

The NBI said the suspects used an online messaging app for their Chinese customers.

Through the app, selected customers can choose the sexual favors that the victims will do. The victims will then be brought to the customers' homes or the hotel they have selected.

According to the NBI, sexual exploitation is especially dangerous amid the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic.

Two of the women rescued tested positive in the COVID-19 rapid antigen test. Both the World Health Organization and the Department of Health though have discouraged the use of rapid antigen tests due to its unreliability and its chances of giving false negative results.

“When you engage in the services of the victim, they will not show you a certification that they are negative for swab test or antigen test,” NBI spokesperson Deputy Director Ferdinand Lavin said.

The arrested individuals declined to comment.

Meanwhile, the women that were rescued will be brought to the Department of Social Welfare and Development. -Joahna Lei Casilao/MDM, GMA News