NBI nabs sex trafficking syndicate ‘handler,’ rescues 2 models

National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) agents on Saturday arrested the "handler" of a major sex trafficking syndicate that used models who lost their jobs due to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic.

According to John Consulta’s report on “24 Oras Weekend,” authorities also retrieved P75,000 from suspect Christopher Torres. This was the money used to pay for the two models the suspect had brought with him.

The NBI said it discovered the sex trafficking syndicate's operations through a tip.

“Wala na silang gig, eh, di ba? So wala na silang means of income kaya naisipan nilang mag-engange sa ganitong activity,” Atty. Janet Francisco, NBI AHTRAD chief, said.

Francisco said that engaging in the “activity” will increase the risk of acquiring COVID-19 and other diseases.

“The fact ikaw ay nag e-engage sa ganitong activity, you’re risking yourself na magkaroon ng COVID-19. Aside from the sexually transmitted disease na makukuha niyo,” she said.

Meanwhile, Torres denied that the women had been forced into doing anything against their will.

“Ay wala po, wala po. Hindi po kami namimilit. Depende po sa kanila ‘yon. O dahil siguro po sa pandemya,” Torres said.

“Napaka hirap sa mga law enforcer na mag-conduct ng rescue o entrapment operations dahil nga sa legality ng process ng pagkuha ng information,” Francisco said.

The suspect has been charged with violation of the Anti-Human Trafficking Law in relation to the Cybercrime Prevention Act. — Joahna Lei Casilao/DVM, GMA News