Twelve minors, who the police said are victims of trafficking, were rescued by authorities in Taguig City on April 5.
They were rescued at about 1:45 p.m. by personnel of the Philippine National Police’s Women and Children Protection Center-Transnational Crime Investigation Task Force (WCPC-TCITF) at Secret Haven Vacation Home in Bay Breeze Executive Village in Barangay Hagonoy, Taguig.
Two suspects were arrested in the anti-trafficking in persons entrapment and rescue operations that were jointly conducted by the WCPC-TCITF and Luzon Field Unit (LFU) in coordination with Taguig Police Sub-Station 9 in Hagonoy and the Child and Social Development Organization of Taguig.
They were identified as Wilma Carambas, 39, and Rowena Ruiz, 33, who were arrested for violation of Republic Act 9208 (Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act of 2003) as amended by Republic Act 10364 (Expanded Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act of 2012). They are under the custody of WCPC for proper disposition.
“Proper coordination and cooperation is needed to protect children from abuse and exploitation, the SPD leadership supports the crackdown on online sexual abuse and child trafficking that prey on minors in our society,” said SPD director Brig. Gen. Jimili Macaraeg.