A 16-year-old-girl, who was allegedly forced to serve as a sex worker, and two other victims of human trafficking were rescued by police during an entrapment operation that also led to the arrest of a Chinese man in Pasay City on Sunday, Dec. 4.
Col. Byron Tabernilla, city police chief, said the victims were rescued around 7:30 a.m. inside a room of Tower CI, Shore Residence in Pasay City.
Arrested during the operation was Li Qi, 30, a Chinese national, staying at Tower C1, Shore Residence, Tabernilla said.
He said the operation was conducted after a relative of the 16-year-old girl sought assistance from the Cybercrime Investigation and Coordinating Center and the Pasay City Police Intelligence Section.
The city police chief said the relative of the girl claimed the victim was recruited by a certain “Philip” and was forced to work as sex worker.
Tabernilla said that during the rescue operation, the 16-year-old girl was found with the suspect about to perform a sexual act inside the room of the condominium.
Police probers learned that the suspect’s group produces videos of victims performing sexual acts with partners and sells them through social media platforms.
Tabernilla said the arrested Chinese national was charged in violation of Republic Act 10364 (Expanded Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act of 2012).